U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) recently spearheaded the launch of a Joint Federal-State Task Force to investigate the financial and manpower constraints faced by America’s volunteer fire companies, including those in Pennsylvania.
“In a state where over 90 percent of fire departments are volunteer, these challenges must be addressed. We are beyond a crisis point,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick, referring to his home state, where there has been a decline for several decades in the number of volunteer firefighters.
In the 1970s, there were roughly 300,000 volunteer firefighters across Pennsylvania, according to the congressman’s office, which said that currently, the number has dropped to less than 40,000.
Joining Rep. Fitzpatrick in launching the task force are Pennsylvania State Reps. Frank Farry (R) and Jennifer O’Mara (D), co-chairs of the Pennsylvania House Fire and Emergency Services Caucus.
“As a 30-year volunteer firefighter and a member of the SR6 commission that studied fire and EMS issues in Pennsylvania, I applaud this joint federal and state effort to assist our first responders,” said State Rep. Farry. “It is the responsibility of all levels of government to ensure our first responders have the resources they need.”
State Rep. O’Mara, the daughter of a firefighter, said it’s her “mission to make sure that our government gets this right. Our top focus must be to recruit, retain and protect our country’s bravest men and women. I’m ready to get to work.”
According to Rep. Fitzpatrick’s office, several legislative initiatives could help improve the situation, including the authorization of junior firefighter programs and emergency medical technician training for high school students, as well as tax incentives, increased retirement pay, and pension reforms.
“We must work together to support these volunteers and find resolutions to these problems,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick, a member of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus. “This is an imminent public safety issue.”