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For Immediate
Release
1/30/07
CONTACT:
PA
Senate Republican Communications
(717) 787-6725
Senate Committee Acts on Regola's Fire & EMS
Bill
Legislation Supports Emergency Responders Grant
Program
AUDIO
The Senate Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness
Committee unanimously approved legislation sponsored
by Senator Bob Regola today. Senate Bill 10, a top
priority of the Senate Republican Caucus, would
reauthorize a state grant program that provides
essential financial support for volunteer firefighters
and ambulance services.
"Pennsylvania's volunteer firefighters and emergency
medical services crews provide a tremendous and
invaluable service to our communities," Senator Regola
said. "I strongly support this grant program as way
to show our support for their work. This is a vital
program that deserves to be reauthorized and funded on
a regular basis."
Since 2000, the General Assembly has regularly
appropriated $25 million to the PA Emergency
Management Agency to provide grants to
volunteer fire and EMS departments. Senate Bill 10
would update and reauthorize the grant program for
2007.
"The program was created to help volunteer emergency
responders purchase new equipment and improve their
stations," Sen. Regola said. "Without question, it
has been highly successful -- reaching all corners of
our Commonwealth. These volunteers stand on the front
lines every day to protect our communities. This
grant program aims to make their job protecting us
easier."
"I am well aware of the financial and recruiting
problems many of our volunteer departments face," Sen.
Regola said. "Vehicles cost hundreds of thousands of
dollars. Clothing and personal equipment can cost
thousands of dollars and construction and maintenance
of stations can be beyond the means of many
departments. That's why this grant program is
important for those organizations and the communities
they serve."
Senate Bill 10 now moves onto the full Senate for
consideration.
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