For Immediate Release
April 17, 2007
Contact:
Joe Pittman
(724) 357-0151
(724) 541-0552 (cell)
Back

Committee Approves Emergency Responder Partnership Bill

Would create Volunteer Emergency Service Partnership Grant Program

The Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee today approved legislation introduced by Senator Don White intended to provide incentives to encourage partnerships between volunteer emergency service organizations.

Specifically, Senate Bill 96 creates the Volunteer Emergency Service Partnership Grant Program, which would include volunteer fire, EMS and other emergency service providers registered as non- profit organizations with the Pennsylvania Department of State.

Senator White stressed that the measure does not include any mandates nor would it force any mergers or consolidations.

"This would be a voluntary program only," Senator White said. "The intent is not to force anything on these organizations, but rather to provide incentives to those who voluntarily decide to merge or form a partnership."

"We know these organizations are indispensable and play vital roles in ensuring public safety. We also know that volunteer emergency service organizations are facing serious problems that jeopardize their capability to perform their essential roles," Senator White said.  "In some cases, these organizations are spending too much time and effort addressing issues such as recruitment, retention and financing. We also know that some areas are without adequate coverage, while in other regions there is a duplication of equipment and services."

The Volunteer Emergency Service Partnership Grant Program proposed in Senate Bill 96 is designed to address some of those problems and serve as a catalyst to other positive changes necessary for the continued viability and success of volunteer emergency service organizations.

Funding for the program is initially proposed as a five-year, $25 million allocation administered by the Department of Community and Economic Development in partnership with the Office of the State Fire Commissioner and the Department of Health.

"Through the Volunteer Emergency Service Partnership Grant Program in Senate Bill 96, we can help Pennsylvania's emergency responders address some of the funding and manpower shortage issues they face," Senator White said. "By providing incentives for departments, we can help these companies strengthen their capabilities by combining their assets and pooling their equipment and manpower."