HARRISBURG – Today, the state House of Representatives unanimously passed Senate Bill 90, introduced by Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33) and Sen. Michele Brooks (R-50), aimed at increasing the number of volunteer firefighters in Pennsylvania by reforming the certification process.
Specifically, this legislation would reform the certification process by enabling applicants to be tested following each of the four modules.
“The bill would make it easier for firefighters to earn their certification while maintaining the high standards and requirements of the certification process,” Mastriano said. “We can increase the number of volunteer firefighters by reforming the certification process without jeopardizing quality or safety.”
In the 1970s, Pennsylvania had as many as 300,000 volunteer firefighters – currently there are fewer than 38,000.
Current firefighter applicants must complete four training modules totaling 188 hours and then must pass a cumulative test covering all four modules.
“Volunteer firefighters are the backbone of public safety in so many of our communities, and we must do more to support and strengthen their ranks,” said Brooks. “By streamlining the certification process without compromising quality, this legislation offers a commonsense solution to help address the severe shortage of volunteers across Pennsylvania.”
“If we want the same highly trained and qualified volunteer firefighters and we want more of them in our communities, our bill is a way to accomplish that,” Mastriano said. “If Pennsylvania is going to reverse the trend of declining numbers of volunteer firefighters, we need to reform the certification process. Many communities need more volunteer firefighters and this is a way to make that possible.”
Senate Bill 90 now heads to the governor for final approval.
CONTACTS: Nate Silcox, Office of Sen. Mastriano
Adam Gingrich, Office of Sen. Brooks