Senate Approves Bill to Encourage Regional Fire Company Partnerships

Senate Bill 96 would provide financial incentives for cooperation

The Senate today approved Senate Bill 96, a measure introduced by Senator Don White to encourage regionalization and partnership efforts among volunteer fire departments.

"Senate Bill 96 takes advantage of money already in place as part of a $100 million bond issue approved in 2002 to encourage volunteer departments to work together in a cooperative and regional way," Senator White said. "Senate Bill 96 does not mandate cooperation, but rather provides financial incentives for departments to be forward thinking -- to look for ways to improve their response to emergencies and their capabilities once they get there."

Senator White's legislation outlines a new program to provide private, non-profit volunteer fire companies/departments or EMS organizations funds for the following activities:

The creation or formation of new or expanded organizations through merger, consolidation, regionalization, or other recognized partnerships.
Education and/or informational programs designed for recruitment and/or retention of existing members.
Other innovative approaches to partnerships that would be considered on a case-by-case basis and evaluated by the Department of Community and Economic Development.

"We have a patchwork of coverage across the state. Some areas are fortunate to have a number of fire departments, while in others the coverage is sparse. Looking closer, one area may be served by several pumper trucks, but lacks the service of a ladder truck. Several neighboring departments may each have the equipment and resources to address hazardous materials emergencies, while in other areas that capability is far more limited," Senator White said.

"Through partnerships, those departments may be able to forgo the replacement of a worn out pumper truck in one station in favor of purchasing a ladder truck that could be much more essential to the region," Senator White continued. "Through cooperation, stations would work together to develop a coordinated response team for hazardous materials emergencies that would eliminate the need for redundant equipment, freeing up essential funding for other purposes."

Contact:

Joe Pittman
(717) 787-8724