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GUEST COLUMN |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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CONTACT: Ann
Collis |
State Rep. Bryan Lentz |
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May 17, 2007
Volunteer fire and ambulance companies deserve our back-up
By state Rep. Bryan Lentz
What would millions of residents across Pennsylvania do in an emergency if the state’s 3,400 volunteer ambulance and fire departments didn’t exist? What would communities like Swarthmore, Ridley, Radnor or Brookhaven do if their volunteer services weren’t there, or if they didn’t receive funding?
There is good news regarding these volunteer companies and the taxpaying residents they serve.
The House of Representatives has passed legislation that I introduced to restore funding for the state’s Volunteer Fire Company and Volunteer Ambulance Service Grant program through 2012. For the 2007-08 fiscal year only, my bill would double the grant amounts.
The $25 million program will be doubled to $50 million for the upcoming fiscal year starting on July 1, 2007. For the 2008-09 fiscal year, the grants would return to $22 million for fire company grants and $3 million for ambulance service grants, as in previous years.
These volunteer company grants are imperative for local first-responding units to fund training and to purchase equipment and supplies. Without sufficient training, our volunteers put themselves -- and those they are fighting to protect -- at escalated risk.
Volunteer first responders do our communities a tremendous service. They juggle the demands of their jobs, family and outside hobbies with their commitment to the members of their community.
Volunteer firefighting and ambulance companies rush to the scene, often unaware of what the emergency will bring them or of the potential risk involved in responding, but volunteerism motivates them.
Volunteer responders provide the community with security and save local taxpayers an estimated $6 billion a year. In Harrisburg, state leaders have an obligation to provide these model citizens with adequate funding to keep them and their communities safe. State officials and residents alike cannot take volunteerism for granted. Volunteer fire and ambulance services are a wonderful Pennsylvania tradition; often, family members fight a fire or respond to an emergency alongside one another.
I applaud my colleagues in the House of Representatives for passing this legislation unanimously earlier this month and for making a commitment to our local heroes a priority. I will do all I can to ensure that this important piece of legislation makes its way to the governor’s desk.
Volunteer fire and EMS companies have a tough job, and I am proud to fight for continued funding for this grant program and to show my support for these volunteers.
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