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For Immediate
Release
8/31/06
CONTACT:
PA
Senate Republican Communications
(717) 787-6725
Hearing
Set to Consider Volunteer Fire Department Bill
Legislation Intended to Improve Delivery of Emergency Services
HARRISBURG -- The
Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee will hold a public
hearing to receive testimony on legislation intended to encourage mergers and
partnerships among private departments, according to Senator Don White,
Committee Chairman and prime sponsor of the measure, Senate Bill 1236.
The
Hearing is set for 1 p.m., Wednesday, September 6, in Room 8E-A in the
State Capitol East Wing.
SB 1236
would establish a grant program funded by using part of a $100 million
bond issue approved in 2002. The legislation has strong bi-partisan
support with 21 co-sponsors in addition to Senator White, the prime
sponsor, and Senator Mike Waugh, the primary co-sponsor.
Currently, volunteer emergency service organizations have limited
sources of grants and loans, such as the Community Revitalization
Program, the Emergency Responders Resources and Training Program, the
Volunteer Fire Grant, the 2% Loan Program, and Relief Association
distributions.
"This
legislation would create a new program that would provide grants to
private, non-profit volunteer fire companies/departments or EMS
organizations and local governments applying on behalf of the fire
companies as long as they meet certain set criteria," Senator White
said.
The
maximum grants in the legislation would include the following:
-
Up
to $100,000 for each finalized merger, consolidation or regional
entity created.
-
Up
to $50,000 for each company involved in a merged, consolidated or
regionalized entity.
-
Up
to $20,000 for creation of each new association of emergency service
organizations.
-
Up
to $50,000 for each new company absorbed into or added to an
existing merged, consolidated or regional entity.
-
Up
to $20,000 for design, creation and delivery of communication or
education programs designed to recruit and retain members. Funds
awarded under this activity are restricted to this activity and may
not be used for other purposes.
Speakers scheduled to give testimony during the hearing include (subject
to change):
-
Dean Fernsler, Local Government Policy Manager, Department of
Community and Economic Development.
-
Edward Mann, Pennsylvania State Fire Commissioner
-
Skip Rupert, President of the York County Firefighters Association.
-
Charles Cressley, Director of Operations for the Jefferson County
EMS.
-
Daniel Sacco, Director of Safety and Security, Indiana Regional
Medical Center.
-
Chief Joseph Manerchia, Past Chief of the Marcus Hook Fire
Department, Delaware County.
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