Gov. Tom Wolf has signed legislation sponsored by state Rep. Frank Farry designed to support emergency responders and improve the delivery of state resources to the fire and EMS systems in Pennsylvania.
House Bill 1673 is a comprehensive measure that includes portions of 13 bipartisan and bicameral proposals to expand and enhance several fire and EMS programs to address challenges faced by the first responder community.
Many of the measures included were recommendations from the 2018 Senate Resolution 6 Report, which put forth 92 individual recommendations to provide a roadmap to revamping fire and EMS services in the state to ensure first responder health and welfare and that their resource needs are being met. As co-chairman of the House Firefighter and Emergency Services Caucus, Farry served on the state’s SR6 Commission.
“While this legislation does not incorporate all the recommendations, it is now one of the most significant pieces of fire legislation that we have taken up in the General Assembly since I have been in office,” Farry said. “I will continue to be a legislative advocate for fire departments and EMS organizations to ensure we have the necessary programs to aid them and maximize public safety.”
House Bill 1673 would address the following programs in the following manners: Volunteer Loan Assistance Program; Fire Commissioner; Fire Relief; Fire and EMS Grant Program; and Tax Credit.
“Our fire and EMS services work tirelessly and have given so much to our communities. This important legislation provides the tools and resources for them to continue to deliver vital services across the commonwealth,” Farry said.
