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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | November 15, 2024 04:03 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Michele Brooks |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | 15 Day Grace Period for Fire Departments to File Reports |
| In order for fire companies to be eligible for the Grants to Fire Companies and Emergency Medical Services Companies, they must comply with reporting requirements. In Act 54 of 2024, the Fiscal Code, we approved a provision that allowed the State Fire Commissioner to extend the Fire Companies and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program application period for up to 45 additional days for individual fire and EMS companies, upon request, if the company demonstrates a hardship or burden that prevents them from applying within the 45-day application period. Our volunteer firefighters and emergency medical services responders are working two full-time jobs: one that pays their bills and supports their family, and the other volunteering to protect our communities. With the turnover in volunteers and changes in leadership within our volunteer fire and EMS companies, the appropriate point of contact may not be up-to-date, and the correct person for the grant may have not been notified. And sometimes, life just happens, and the report may have not been submitted. In these rare instances when a deadline is missed, our volunteer fire and EMS companies should not be unfairly penalized. This legislation would allow volunteer fire and EMS companies one 15-day grace period within a two-year period to submit their report, without having to demonstrate an undue burden or hardship. I hope you will join me in supporting this effort to ensure our volunteer responders have the best opportunity possible to receive the Grants to Fire Companies and Emergency Medical Services Companies by cosponsoring this legislation. Thank you. |
Memo Updated: November 15, 2024 04:05 PM