Due to the efforts of Sen. Frank Farry (R-6th dist.) while serving in the House of Representatives, a $1 million tuition assistance program for emergency medical services professionals is now active.
In 2017, as part of the state budget, consumer fireworks were made legal with a 12 percent tax added to the sale in addition to the 6 percent sales tax already collected. The Fireworks Tax Act, Act 74 of 2022, authored by Farry, redirected the additional tax collected from the sale of consumer fireworks toward first responder programs, including scholarship grants for EMS professionals.
“Pennsylvania did not offer scholarship grants for the reimbursement of EMS training,” said Farry. “With falling numbers and low retention rates in the emergency medical services system, this program will improve recruitment and retention in Pennsylvania and ensure we have a robust community of first responders, who are so vital to our communities.”
Pennsylvania residents who obtained a state certification as an emergency medical responder, emergency medical technician, advanced emergency medical technician or paramedic after July 1, 2023 are eligible to have a portion of their tuition reimbursed. State-licensed EMS agencies are also eligible to receive reimbursement of expenses related to recruitment and retention efforts, up to $1,250 per fiscal year.
