Three volunteer fire companies in the northern part of the county recently got state grants.

The Harrisville Volunteer Fire Company will receive $12,873; the Portersville Muddycreek Township Volunteer Fire Department will receive $12,101; and the West Sunbury Volunteer Fire Department will receive $14,417.

The announcement came from the office of state Rep. Tedd Nesbit, R-8th.

“Our first responders not only train for emergencies of all types — car accidents, structure fires and natural disasters — and they also spend a great deal of time raising funds,” he said.

“This grant program was created to ease a bit of these companies' financial burden and to help ensure these dedicated men and women are able to continue protecting our communities now and into the future.”

Harrisville Fire Chief Steven Bickle said “We're going to buy rescue equipment.”

The other companies could not be reached.