Solobay Training Bill Clears Key Senate Committee

A state Senate committee this week approved Sen. Tim Solobay’s legislation to allow volunteer firefighters’ relief association funds to be used to pay for the costs related to advanced life support or paramedic training.

“I’m grateful that my colleagues share my concern that we need to do what we can to make life easier for first-responders to get training and at the same time help organizations recruit volunteers,” Solobay, D-Canonsburg, said. “Recent events across the country have underlined the critical need for well-trained medical personnel at a time of emergency.”

Currently, Pennsylvania law authorizes the use of volunteer firefighters’ relief association fund for sixteen separate categorized items, one of which is to pay for attending firefighters’ training schools.

Solobay’s proposal would expand the authorized use of funds to allow for the payment of reasonable expenses incurred for attending emergency medical technician or paramedic training schools.

The Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee voted unanimously today to send the bill the full Senate for a vote.

Similar legislation, introduced by Solobay in the 2011-2012 session of the General Assembly, passed the Senate but was not considered in the House before the session expired.