State Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-134th, has announced 15 volunteer fire and emergency response organizations within Berks and Lehigh counties, in his district were awarded nearly $120,000 in state funding under an ongoing grant program created by the Legislature and administered by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and Office of the State Fire Commissioner.

"This grant program is a great way to help support our local volunteer fire and emergency service personnel who protect the residents across our district," Mackenzie said. "These state grants will help support our local organizations in their mission of protecting the public because they'll be able to use this money for construction or renovation of a fire or ambulance company facility, purchase or repair of equipment, training, or reduction of existing debt."

During the 2011-12 legislative session, lawmakers voted to extend and expand the decade-old program by increasing the total grant funding from $25 million to $30 million.

Local fire and ambulance companies receiving the grants are as follows:

Cetronia Ambulance Corps;

Cetronia Fire Co. No. 1;

Good Will Fire Co.;

Upper Macungie Township Station 56

Details regarding these grants can be found at the Office of the State Fire Commissioner's website at OSFC.state.pa.us.