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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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CONTACT: Michael
J. Herzing |
State Rep. James E.
Casorio, Jr. |
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Casorio reintroduces legislation to give returning veterans jobs; boost communities’ first-responder complement
HARRISBURG, April 3 – State Rep. James E. Casorio Jr., D-Westmoreland, is reintroducing legislation that would make it easier for veterans of the armed forces with emergency medical training to become civilian emergency responders in Pennsylvania.
Casorio said the bill would help veterans returning from Iraq, Afghanistan and other tours of duty, as well as the communities in Pennsylvania in which these veterans live.
“Each year, thousands of veterans return from the war on terror and other military tours of duty with highly specialized training in emergency medical care and response,” Casorio said. “Under current law, these veterans still must pay for and undergo civilian medical training in order to work as EMTs or other volunteer or paid emergency medical responders.
“My legislation would allow Pennsylvania to grant veterans with the proper military training immediate status as EMTs and paramedics so they could help their communities and utilize their training for civilian benefit right away,” he said.
Casorio’s legislation (H.B. 995) would require the state Department of Health to develop standards that would allow veterans with appropriate emergency medical response training to be certified as emergency medical technicians and paramedics in Pennsylvania without having to undergo civilian training. Veterans who served as certified medical specialists and who performed duties similar to EMTs and paramedics while in the armed forces would qualify.
“Returning veterans who, while in the military, have been provided with the best emergency medical training available anywhere should not have to waste their money and time duplicating that training when they return home,” Casorio said. “Since many of our communities are in desperate need of emergency medical personnel, we should take this opportunity to help our veterans and our communities and constituents at the same time by assisting these veterans in the transition to this civilian field as quickly as possible."
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