HARRISBURG – The Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee unanimously approved five measures aimed at supporting fire companies, those becoming firefighters and first responders’ families, according to Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33), committee chairman.
“As fire companies continue to struggle with manpower issues and finding ways to pay for multi-million-dollar ladder trucks, it is imperative that we find ways to assist,” said Mastriano. “These five bills are aimed at doing just that.”
Senate Bill 90, sponsored by Mastriano, would reform the Firefighter I certification process by enabling applicants to be tested following each of the four modules. Currently, firefighter applicants must complete four training modules totaling 188 hours. Then they must pass a cumulative test covering all four modules.
“The bill would make it easier for firefighters to earn their certification while maintaining the high standards and requirements of the certification process,” said Mastriano.
Senate Bill 91, sponsored by Mastriano, would ensure that Pennsylvania residents who serve as first responders outside the state are eligible for the Pennsylvania line of duty death benefit.
“Hundreds of first responders are residents of Pennsylvania but for various reasons, they perform their duties in our six neighboring states,” said Mastriano. “Just because they work outside the state doesn’t mean Pennsylvania shouldn’t take care of their own when it comes to a line of duty death.”
Senate Bill 138, sponsored by Mastriano, would make volunteer HazMat team members eligible for a tax credit that is currently available to members of volunteer fire companies and nonprofit EMS agencies – if their municipality allows it.
“This measure recognizes the vital importance of HazMat providers to our communities,” Mastriano said. “There have been a number of incidents across the commonwealth – from the train derailment on the Ohio/Pennsylvania border to the chemical factory fire in southeastern Pennsylvania – where our HazMat providers are handling the situation. They are highly trained and an invaluable part of our emergency response efforts.”
Senate Bill 457 would allow fire and EMS companies to borrow more money with longer terms through the state’s low-interest Fire and EMS Loan Program.
“Fire apparatus and equipment costs have risen dramatically over the past several years,” said Mastriano. “Increasing the loan thresholds would help these companies better afford new or used apparatus.”
Senate Bill 466, would permit the state fire commissioner to credit individuals who completed fire suppression training through their jobs when they proceed through Firefighter I training and certification. Firefighter I certification involves approximately 206 hours of instruction, so not receiving any credit for relevant training discourages professionals from serving their communities as volunteer firefighters.
In committee, Mastriano offered an amendment to Senate Bill 466 that would provide fire and EMS companies additional time to submit their final reports associated with the Fire and EMS Grant Program.
“It is essential that we work with our volunteer fire and EMS companies to the greatest extent possible,” said Mastriano. “They do so much for our communities and the funding that they receive through the Fire and EMS Grant goes a long way toward purchasing needed equipment.”
