Post by Bill on Nov 16, 2005 15:11:16 GMT -5
Rep. Patrick Fleagle: Fleagle introduces legislation providing $25 million in funding for volunteer emergency responders.
Text of Nov. 15 press release.
Measure would provide stable funding source through PEMA grants
Rep. Patrick E. Fleagle (R-Franklin) introduced legislation on Nov. 4 that would appropriate $25 million to the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) for the purpose of continuing the direct state grant program for Pennsylvania's volunteer fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) organizations.
"Our volunteer fire companies and emergency responders are constantly trying to make ends meet. The cost of equipment, supplies and vehicles can be a tremendous burden on these organizations," Fleagle said. "The Commonwealth needs to help these organizations in any way that we can."
"I fought hard to have this program included in the 2005-2006 general fund budget through an amendment that I proposed. However Gov. Rendell saw fit to have this amendment removed and the continuation of this program placed at the mercy of gambling revenues," Fleagle said.
For the past two years, and previously in the year 2000, Pennsylvania has provided this grant program to the roughly 2,500 volunteer emergency responder organizations across the Commonwealth. Grants to volunteer fire and rescue companies range from a minimum of $2,500 to a maximum of $15,000 and may be used for construction or renovation of the fire company's primary structure; purchase or repair of firefighting, ambulance or rescue equipment; training; or debt reduction for previous qualified purchases.
Grants to volunteer EMS companies range from $2,500 to $10,000 and may be used for construction or renovation of the ambulance company's primary structure, purchase or repair of ambulance equipment, office equipment, support services, training, or debt reduction for previous qualified purchases.
"We do not yet know if these gambling revenues will develop and we cannot afford to allow our volunteers to depend on these funds for financial support.
"As a volunteer with the Waynesboro Ambulance Squad and the Waynesboro Area Advanced Life Support Unit, I know the tremendous dedication that our first responders put towards our safety and security. For the risks they take, the lives they save, and the difference they make, our emergency responders deserve our full support.
"No amount of bingo, boot drives or carnivals can provide the necessary funds that these organizations need to continue their life saving efforts," Fleagle said. "The PEMA grant program has been very beneficial to our emergency responders right here in Franklin County. I want to continue that trend."
Fleagle's legislation, House Bill 2197, currently has 80 co-sponsors and has been referred to the House Appropriations Committee, of which Fleagle serves as Vice-chairman. Additionally, Fleagle has also introduced legislation that would create a length of service pension program for bona fide volunteers.
Fleagle's district includes all of Waynesboro, Greencastle, Mercersburg and Mont Alto boroughs and all of Washington, Antrim, Montgomery and Warren Townships and portions of Guilford, Quincy and Peters Townships.
Fleagle's district office is located at 220 S. Potomac St. in Waynesboro. He can be reached at (717) 762-6001, via e-mail at pfleagle@pahousegop.com or on the Web at www.patfleagle.com.
Text of Nov. 15 press release.
Measure would provide stable funding source through PEMA grants
Rep. Patrick E. Fleagle (R-Franklin) introduced legislation on Nov. 4 that would appropriate $25 million to the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) for the purpose of continuing the direct state grant program for Pennsylvania's volunteer fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) organizations.
"Our volunteer fire companies and emergency responders are constantly trying to make ends meet. The cost of equipment, supplies and vehicles can be a tremendous burden on these organizations," Fleagle said. "The Commonwealth needs to help these organizations in any way that we can."
"I fought hard to have this program included in the 2005-2006 general fund budget through an amendment that I proposed. However Gov. Rendell saw fit to have this amendment removed and the continuation of this program placed at the mercy of gambling revenues," Fleagle said.
For the past two years, and previously in the year 2000, Pennsylvania has provided this grant program to the roughly 2,500 volunteer emergency responder organizations across the Commonwealth. Grants to volunteer fire and rescue companies range from a minimum of $2,500 to a maximum of $15,000 and may be used for construction or renovation of the fire company's primary structure; purchase or repair of firefighting, ambulance or rescue equipment; training; or debt reduction for previous qualified purchases.
Grants to volunteer EMS companies range from $2,500 to $10,000 and may be used for construction or renovation of the ambulance company's primary structure, purchase or repair of ambulance equipment, office equipment, support services, training, or debt reduction for previous qualified purchases.
"We do not yet know if these gambling revenues will develop and we cannot afford to allow our volunteers to depend on these funds for financial support.
"As a volunteer with the Waynesboro Ambulance Squad and the Waynesboro Area Advanced Life Support Unit, I know the tremendous dedication that our first responders put towards our safety and security. For the risks they take, the lives they save, and the difference they make, our emergency responders deserve our full support.
"No amount of bingo, boot drives or carnivals can provide the necessary funds that these organizations need to continue their life saving efforts," Fleagle said. "The PEMA grant program has been very beneficial to our emergency responders right here in Franklin County. I want to continue that trend."
Fleagle's legislation, House Bill 2197, currently has 80 co-sponsors and has been referred to the House Appropriations Committee, of which Fleagle serves as Vice-chairman. Additionally, Fleagle has also introduced legislation that would create a length of service pension program for bona fide volunteers.
Fleagle's district includes all of Waynesboro, Greencastle, Mercersburg and Mont Alto boroughs and all of Washington, Antrim, Montgomery and Warren Townships and portions of Guilford, Quincy and Peters Townships.
Fleagle's district office is located at 220 S. Potomac St. in Waynesboro. He can be reached at (717) 762-6001, via e-mail at pfleagle@pahousegop.com or on the Web at www.patfleagle.com.