Fire & ems grants bill clears committee

House Bill 906 would reauthorize the program for 5 years

Senator Bob Regola applauded the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee’s approval today (June 11) of a bill that would reauthorize a popular fire/EMS grant program for five years.

“I am extremely pleased to see House Bill 906 moving through the system,” said Senator Regola, the prime sponsor of Senate Bill 10, a companion bill in the Senate. “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. That, in part, is why I strongly support this grant program and reauthorizing it for five years instead of having it up in the air each year.”

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 permanent authorization would set in place the mechanism to allow for funding on a steady basis.

HB 906 also provides for a one-time double grant program for 2007, using $25 million on hand in gaming revenue and an additional $25 million to be released on or after July 1 as part of Pennsylvania’s state budget for Fiscal Year 2007-08.

The measure is now headed to the Senate Appropriations Committee for consideration.

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Contact:   Tom Hower (717) 787-6063