Tuesday night, Erie County Council opened the purse strings and voted to allocate some $30,000 for the Franklin Township Fire Training facility.  CLICK FOR VIDEO  That money will be used for utilities, ground, and building maintenance.

And for the first time ever, the Erie County Firefighters Association will be supporting the training facility handing over some 45,000 dollars.  Mercyhurst College, through grants, has been supporting this facility but the grants have dried up.  Jim Petrone heads the Erie County Firefighters Association.

"The financial situation being today what it is really determines what we are able to do," said Petrone.

The facility is the only one of its kind in Northwest Pennsylvania.  It is also used by local law enforcement agencies for training.

Funding for next year still remains up in the air.  Council will be meeting with the Firefighters Association to tackle that issue soon.