Senate approves Regola’s Fire & EMS
Grant Extension
Senate Bill 10 would
reauthorize the program for five years
Firefighters in the 39th Senatorial District applauded the
Senate’s unanimous approval today of a bill introduced
by Senator Bob Regola to reauthorize the popular
fire/EMS grant program for five years.
Senate Bill 10, as originally introduced by Senator Regola, would have
reauthorized the program for one year. The Senate
approved an amended offered by Senator Regola on Monday
to reauthorize it for five years.
“We have stated on many occasions our appreciation for Pennsylvania’s
volunteer firefighters and emergency medical services
crews who provide a tremendous and invaluable service to
our communities,” Senator Regola said. “By authorizing
this program for five years, we can show Pennsylvania’s
emergency responders that we are truly committed to
providing the essential financial support they need to
upgrade their equipment and facilities.”
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. However, it has
lapsed in the past. Senator Regola said the five year
authorization would set in place the mechanism to allow
for funding on a steady basis.
Senate passage of SB 10 was enthusiastically
greeted by two local fire chiefs.
“Extending the grant to five years will allow our department to grow based
on long term plans, said Chief Don Thoma of the
Adamsburg and Community Volunteer Fire Department.
“Until now, we’ve only been able to plan a year at a
time because we didn’t know if we’d have any funding
available the following year -- this will help
enormously with our long term vision.”
“This is great -- this will be money that is well spent,” said Chief Ed
Hutchinson of the City of Greensburg Fire Department.
“Volunteer fire departments use this money to buy
equipment essential to protecting our citizens. We
appreciate Senator Regola’s plan to help fire
departments do our job -- protecting the community and
its members.”
Senate Bill 10 now proceeds to the House of Represents for consideration.
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Contact: Nate Silcox (717) 787-6063
