Senator Receive Report on Status of Emergency Services

Commission's findings set agenda for helping Pennsylvania's first responders

Recognizing the major issues facing Pennsylvania's firefighters and ambulance services, the Senate is poised to consider recommendations made by a bi-partisan commission established last year to study emergency services across the Commonwealth, according to Senator Don White, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness.

Senator White was joined by Senators Richard A. Kasunic (D-Fayette/Somerset), Mike Waugh (R-York) and Sean Logan (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) for a news conference today to formally accept the report and to discuss the Senate agenda for addressing the Commission's recommendations.

The 25-member Commission, chaired by Dr. William F. Jenaway, CFPS, CFO, was established under the provisions of Senate Resolution 60 of 2003, a measure co-sponsored by Senator White.

"The Commission had a daunting task in attempting to compile a report that comprehensively detailed the issues facing emergency services providers across the Commonwealth," Senator White said. "Recognizing that, the Commission wisely focused on specific concerns such as recruitment and delivery of services - issues that seemed to be most common among fire departments and ambulance corps across the state. Through that focus, the Commission developed a set of recommendations that will serve us well as the first step toward providing needed assistance to Pennsylvania's emergency service providers."

As part of Tuesday's press conference, Senator White officially recognized the members of the Senate Resolution 60 Commission and commended the group for its efforts.