Jul. 05, 2018
HARRISBURG — Rep. Jason Ortitay (R-Washington/Allegheny) today introduced legislation to assist volunteer fire companies in constructing living quarters at their stations.
“The number of volunteer firefighters in the Commonwealth has dropped significantly in the past several decades to about 50,000 now,” Ortitay said. “All the while, Pennsylvania’s population has grown. As a result, multiple fire companies sometimes have to be alerted in order for enough manpower to be available to answer a call. By assisting fire companies in building living quarters at their stations, the hope is to encourage younger volunteers to support the next generation of firefighters who can live at the fire department in exchange for providing 24/7 fire coverage. This concept was brought to my attention by the Rennerdale Volunteer Fire Department in Collier Township.”
House Bill 2550 would redirect 0.1 percent of the annual deposits into the Public Transportation Trust Fund to create the Volunteer Fire Company Physical Improvement Fund. The grant program would assist volunteer fire companies with building physical structures and purchasing items needed to create living quarters on their premises.
The bill is awaiting assignment to a House standing committee.
The 46th Legislative District includes Collier and South Fayette townships and Bridgeville, Heidelberg, McDonald and Oakdale boroughs in Allegheny County. It also encompasses Canton, Cecil, Mt. Pleasant, Robinson and Smith townships and Burgettstown, McDonald and Midway boroughs in Washington County.
Representative Jason Ortitay
46th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Tracy Polovick
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