WILLIAMS SUPPORTS FIRE AND EMS LEGISLATION

HARRISBURG, FEB. 6 – State Sen. Connie Williams today lent her support to legislative initiatives that would foster partnerships between municipal government and fire and emergency services leaders.

"A few years ago, the state undertook a study of emergency services in Pennsylvania," Williams said. "The outcome of the study by the SR 60 Commission was a series of recommendations not only to better fund our fire departments and emergency service organizations, but also to address difficulties in recruiting, the lack of volunteers and to set priorities for strengthening departments and organizations in Pennsylvania.

"What we voted today was a critical component of that plan – further defining the responsibilities of municipal governments to fire and EMS and fostering a new level of understanding between government and emergency services as to the appropriate level of protections needed in the community and an agreement on a response level."

The Senate today voted in support of several pieces of legislation that would accomplish this initiative in various classes of municipal government: S.B. 987 (3^rd class cities); H.B. 1131 (2^nd class townships); H.B. 1133 (boroughs); H.B. 1134 (1^st class townships). All four bills now return to the House for consideration.

What the legislation would do is create a two-way dialogue between municipal governments and emergency services providers. Municipal governments would be responsible for ensuring that fire and EMS are provided with appropriate financial and administrative assistance for their services. Emergency services would be responsible for working with the municipal government to discuss the needs of the local communities and to provide an annual itemized listing of all expenditures made with municipal funds.

"Our emergency services providers are truly heroes to our communities," Williams said. "If there are opportunities to strengthen our emergency services we should take advantage of them. We know that strong emergency services lead to strong communities."