Study Says Pennsylvania Fire and Medical Services are “Beyond Crisis”
A new legislative report in Pennsylvania is sounding the alarm about fire and rescue services in the state.
The 95-page legislative study says the Keystone State lost 62,000 of its volunteer firefighters from the 300,000 who stepped up in the 1970s. The report says Emergency Medical Services groups are seeing a similar decline as volunteers are pressed for dividing their time between work, families and community.
More than 90% of Pennsylvania’s 2,500 fire departments are volunteer.
The report headed by Allegheny County Republican Senator Randy Vulakovich offers over two-dozen recommendations, including setting fire training standards and mandated sprinklers in new home construction.
The study was compiled by a 39-person commission.
Information on Pennsylvania’s fire and emergency medical services can be found at www.pfesi.org.wp-content/uploads/2017.