The Pennsylvania State Senate approved two bills this week that would provide financial benefits for fire and emergency management services (EMS) workers.
The bills focus on easing the financial pressures faced by fire and EMS companies due to the increasing costs of equipment and training.
The Volunteer Fire Company, Ambulance Service and Rescue Squad Assistance (Senate Bill 908) would create a voter referendum to expand the Volunteer Fire Company, Ambulance Service and Rescue Squad Assistance program to include career fire and EMS companies. The bill would also increase the maximum loan amounts allowed by the program, expand the allowable list of uses of Fire Relief Funding and review the current funding formula. Further, it would move the administration of the Fire Relief Program from the Auditor General to the State Fire Commissioner.
The referendum would allow the state’s 22 paid companies and 72 combination paid and volunteer companies to access the program.
Also, Senate Bill 910 would extend the life of the Fire Company and Emergency Medical Service Grant Program to June 2024. The program, created in 2003, is set to expire in June of this year. The bill would also expand the use of the program to include recruitment and retention programs, as well as volunteer fire length of service awards.
“These bills address some of the financial issues that place a burden on our local fire companies and their fellow organizations across the Commonwealth. The financial well-being of our volunteer companies is issue that impacts all of us, especially those living in rural communities,” Pennsylvania State Sen. Bill Hutchinson said.
Hutchinson sponsored Senate Bill 987, which was approved by the Senate Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee this week. This bill would require Senate confirmation of the Fire Commissioner. It would also designate the Office of Fire Commissioner as the lead agency for fire services in the state and establish a State Fire Advisory Board with membership from all regions of the state.