Posted: | February 5, 2013 12:44 PM |
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From: | Representative P. Michael Sturla |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Municipal Fire and Emergency Services Grant Fund |
In the near future, I plan to reintroduce HB 1216, which will establish the Municipal Fire and Emergency Services Grant Fund to support Pennsylvania’s municipal fire and emergency service organizations. Paid municipal fire and emergency service personnel service over 3 million Pennsylvania residents (25% of the total population of the state). Unfortunately, these companies are reliant on dwindling local tax dollars and are often unable to benefit from new equipment or advanced technology. In an effort to support these municipal forces, my proposal seeks to establish a grant program mirroring the Commonwealth’s Volunteer Fire Company and Volunteer Ambulance Service Grant program. This new program would be available to non-volunteer fire companies or emergency services departments that provide fire protection or emergency services, such as basic and advanced life support services and response to fires, vehicle accidents and water rescues. Clearly, I applaud the efforts of the men and women who selflessly dedicate their lives to protecting our communities, regardless of whether their service is in a paid or volunteer capacity. Our local municipalities are facing great challenges funding these life-saving organizations. Through this program, I hope these organizations can have an opportunity to qualify for funds to support the purchase of enhanced equipment and other important advances. The following members co-sponsored HB 1216 in the 2011-12 Session: BISHOP, BRIGGS, BUXTON, CALTAGIRONE, CARROLL, CONKLIN, D. COSTA, DAVIS, ELLIS, FABRIZIO, GEIST, GOODMAN, HARKINS, HESS, HUTCHINSON, JOSEPHS, KAVULICH, KIRKLAND, KOTIK, KULA, LONGIETTI, MIRABITO, MUNDY, MURPHY, MURT, PAYTON, PYLE, READSHAW, SANTARSIERO, SANTONI, K. SMITH AND WHITE Please join me in sponsoring this important piece of legislation. |
Introduced as HB1038