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For Immediate
Release
10/3/07
Contact:
Joe Pittman
(717) 787-8724
 
Sen. White
Sen. Waugh
Sen. Robbins
Senate Approves Bill to Encourage Regional Fire
Company Partnerships
Senate Bill 96 would provide financial incentives for cooperation
The Senate today approved Senate Bill 96, a measure introduced by Senator Don
White to encourage regionalization and partnership efforts among volunteer fire
departments.
"Senate Bill 96 takes advantage of money already in place as part of a $100
million bond issue approved in 2002 to encourage volunteer departments to work
together in a cooperative and regional way," Senator White said. "Senate Bill 96
does not mandate cooperation, but rather provides financial incentives for
departments to be forward thinking -- to look for ways to improve their response
to emergencies and their capabilities once they get there."
Senator White's legislation outlines a new program to provide private,
non-profit volunteer fire companies/departments or EMS organizations funds for
the following activities:
- The creation or formation of
new or expanded organizations through merger, consolidation,
regionalization, or other recognized partnerships.
- Education and/or
informational programs designed for recruitment and/or retention of existing
members.
- Other
innovative approaches to partnerships that would be considered on a
case-by-case basis and evaluated by the Department of Community and Economic
Development.
"We have a patchwork of coverage across the state. Some areas are fortunate
to have a number of fire departments, while in others the coverage is sparse.
Looking closer, one area may be served by several pumper trucks, but lacks the
service of a ladder truck. Several neighboring departments may each have the
equipment and resources to address hazardous materials emergencies, while in
other areas that capability is far more limited," Senator White said.
"Through partnerships, those departments may be able to forgo the replacement
of a worn out pumper truck in one station in favor of
purchasing a ladder truck that could be much more essential
to the region," Senator White continued. "Through
cooperation, stations would work together to develop a
coordinated response team for hazardous materials
emergencies that would eliminate the need for redundant
equipment, freeing up essential funding for other purposes."
Additional Information:
Improving Emergency
Preparedness
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