SPRINGFIELD − September 30, 2019 − At the request of Sen. Tim Kearney (D – Delaware, Chester), the Senate Democratic Policy Committee will hold a public hearing this Thursday to discuss the future of firefighting and emergency medical services in Pennsylvania.

“Ensuring our communities have the resources they need to adequately respond to fires and other emergencies is of the utmost importance,” said Sen. Kearney. “We are holding this hearing to address this issue before a crisis puts lives and property at risk.”

Sen. Kearney requested the hearing to bring new urgency to the need to provide fire services to all Pennsylvanians in the face of declining numbers of volunteer firefighters. Pennsylvania has long depended on volunteer labor for fire protection; in 1973, the Commonwealth had 300,000 firefighters, but that has steadily declined to 35,000 today.

Sen. Kearney will be joined by Sen. Lisa Boscola, chair of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee, along with local government officials and experts in emergency services. This event is open to the public and the press.

WHAT: Policy Hearing on the Future of Firefighting and EMS

WHO:

  • Senator Tim Kearney (District 26 – Delaware, Chester Counties)
  • Senator Lisa Boscola (District 18 – Lehigh, Northampton Counties)
  • Steven Bair, Chief, Alpha Fire Company
  • D. Robert Brady, President, ROBB Consulting
  • Kathi Cozzone, Commissioner, Chester County
  • Beau Crowding, Deputy Director, Chester County Dept. of Emergency Services
  • Danielle Koerner, Community Outreach Coordinator, Delaware County Dept. of Emergency Services
  • Jerry Ozog, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Fire and Emergency Services Institute
  • Bruce Trego, Fire Commissioner, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
  • Sean Sanderson, Local Government Policy Specialist, Pennsylvania Dept. of Community and Economic Development

WHEN: Thursday, October 3, 2019 from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

WHERE: Delaware County Community College, Academic Building Room 2246 – 901 S. Media Line Rd. Media, PA 19063

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