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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Paul Costa |
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Mutual aid bill unanimously passes House and Senate
HARRISBURG, Oct. 8 -- State Rep. Paul Costa, D-Allegheny, and Sen. John Pippy, R-Allegheny/Washington, announced that the state House and Senate have unanimously passed legislation they created that would establish a mutual aid committee to oversee a statewide prevention and emergency response system.
The legislation, S.B. 1225, would set up a system of intrastate mutual aid among participating local governments in Pennsylvania. The system would include state, regional and local officials, as well as emergency responders, and would allow local officials and responders to request assistance from others in the system when an emergency or disaster is beyond the scope of local officials or responders to address.
Costa said the legislation was years in the making and was a collaborative effort in both chambers.
"Senator Pippy and I have been working very hard on this much-needed legislation," Costa said. "Currently there is no network or system in place whereby different local governments or emergency responders are able to respond to disasters in a coordinated manner.
"Some areas have created their own mutual agreements, but as a whole, a master framework is lacking," Costa said. "The passage of this bill was a successful bipartisan effort that ultimately makes Pennsylvania a better and safer place to live."
"Pennsylvania is one of 15 states without a statewide mutual aid agreement. As a result, mutual aid at the state, county and local levels is often provided without written agreements and without clearly defined divisions of responsibility," Pippy said. "Such cross-jurisdictional aid often raises questions about liability and workers' compensation concerns.
"First responders at the local level know that emergencies transcend the boundaries of a political subdivision. Intergovernmental coordination is essential for the protection of lives and property, and for the best use of available public and private assets," Pippy said. "The foundation for coordination and cooperation in preventing disasters, responding to them or recovering from them is established through a clearly-written mutual aid agreement. Enactment of this legislation will help more communities build that foundation."
Local governments could opt out of the system. Those requesting assistance would have to reimburse the responding entity in accordance with procedures established by the committee.
Additionally, insurance coverage would have to be in effect for emergency response vehicles and apparatus, and workers' compensation would have to be available, as well.
The bill awaits Gov. Rendell's signature.
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