HARRISBURG – The state Senate Monday approved a bill introduced by Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33) aimed at increasing the number of volunteer firefighters in Pennsylvania by reforming the certification process.
“The bill would make it easier for firefighters to earn their certification while maintaining the high standards and requirements of the certification process,” said Mastriano, who serves as chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee. “We can increase the number of volunteer firefighters by reforming the certification process without jeopardizing quality or safety.”
Pennsylvania in the 1970s had as many as 300,000 volunteer firefighters. There currently are fewer than 38,000 volunteer firefighters in the commonwealth.
Current firefighter applicants must complete four training modules totaling 188 hours. They then must pass a cumulative test covering all four modules.
Mastriano’s Senate Bill 1101 would reform the certification process by enabling applicants to be tested following each of the four modules.
“If we want the same highly trained and qualified volunteer firefighters and we want more of them in our communities, my 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 step to make that possible.”
Mastriano’s bill now heads to the state House of Representatives for consideration.
Constituents of the 33rd District can learn more about Mastriano by visiting his website at SenatorMastriano.com or following him on Facebook at Facebook.com/SenatorDougMastriano.
Media contact: Josh Herman
717-787-9603