News – Pennsylvania Fire & Emergency Services Institute

SR 6 Bills in the Senate / Messaging

Posted by Jerry in News

SR 6 bills in the Senate/ Messaging Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Prep (VA&EP) members: MESSAGE: These bills have been passed by the full House of Representatives and are now in the Senate VA&EP committee. Please consider these pieces of legislation in committee so they can be sent to the […]

Feb09

Measures to Support our Firefighters/EMS

Posted by FireCompanies.com in News

The following is a brief synopsis of the measures included in the Firefighter/EMS support package. Measures to Support our Firefighters School District/Community College Training Partnerships: Several community colleges are partnering with local schools to offer courses for those students who would like to become first responders. We plan to replicate […]

Jan20

PA Junior Emergency Service Program Compliance Manual

Posted by FireCompanies.com in News

The Pennsylvania Junior Emergency Service Program Compliance Manual is now available: Download the manual

Jul01

Background Check Clarifications Now Law

Posted by FireCompanies.com in News

Changes also made to effective date for new volunteers Effective immediately, clarification changes have been made to the state’s new law regarding background clearances for employees and volunteers who have direct and routine contact with children, said Rep. Kathy Watson (R-Bucks / 144th), author of the legislation. The governor today […]

Jun10

Governor Wolf Announces Fee Waivers for Volunteers Seeking Background Checks

Posted by FireCompanies.com in News

Governor Tom Wolf announced today that fees for child abuse clearances and criminal background checks required by the Child Protective Services Law will be waived for volunteers working with children. Additionally, the Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) will be reducing the cost of both […]

Mar23

Legislative Priorities of the Fire Service

Posted by FireCompanies.com in News

Download the original flyer Enacting a package of bills that address retention and recruitment Providing no or low cost training programs, develop web-based training Identifying a potential funding source that adequately addresses these issues Retention & Recruitment The Fireman’s Association of the State of Pennsylvania (FASP) and the Pennsylvania Fire […]

Aug30

Tom Wolf’s Responses to PFESI Questionnaire

Posted by FireCompanies.com in News

Download the questionnaire as a PDF Dear Mr. Wolf: The Pennsylvania Fire and Emergency Services Institute submits the following questions concerning your position on critical fire and emergency service issues. Please note that it is expected that if you support an issue your administration will actively work to pass enabling […]

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PFESI

9 hours ago

Thank You - Chief Dave Nelson from Whitehall Township for advocating at the local level. One Vision, One Voice we can make a difference! ... See MoreSee Less

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PFESI

17 hours ago

Thank you to Jerry Brant from Cambria County for engaging at the local level! ... See MoreSee Less

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Fourteen companies needed to respond....and even if all this legislation tied to SR6 passes, you will still need fourteen companies to provide sufficient fire protection in Tyrone!

The sad truth is, it will get a lot worse before serious efforts take place to reverse the current situation. For example you call 911and no one responds. The customers (community) will finally realize what has happened.

PFESI

2 days ago

16 & 17 Year Olds and Interior FF - Survey Results - Over 1,400 responses were received - Thank You!

It is important to remember at this time, this is NOT a law or policy.

PFESI provides independent advice to members and staff of the General Assembly, the Administration, county and local government officials, and other statewide organizations.

Pennsylvania is at a critical time and out of the box thinking will be needed at all level to ensure essential community fire and emergency response.

The complete survey can be downloaded at this link: pfesi.org/pfesi-initiatives/ ... See MoreSee Less

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The way that some programs move in this state, when an individual (16/7) start an Essentials or FF1/FF2 program, they dont finish until after they're 18. I personally am for allowing them to complete the training, but maybe the programs themselves need to be looked at.

Wow reading all these negative comments about it is shocking. When I went through the process 30 years ago as long as my parents and Cheif sign off I could participate in only a training environment. That allowed me to get into other classes. Today, I can sign off on my child in junior year in high school to enlist in the military but everyone is flipping shit about Mod 4 training....a controlled environment training. 16 year and 6 months we trust these kids with a drivers license to drive a car by themselves, but can't send them to a 56 hour course? And people wonder why young kids are losing interest! I trust my instructors locally that I would have signed off on my 3 sons and step son at 16 to obtain their Mod 4. And I hope this passes soon. My step son will be leaving for college at 17. Meaning at it may be 4 years before he can do Mod 4. How much will change in the fire service that would he be allowed in Mod 4 in 4 years?

Okay so I am going to go against the grain here a little. Allowing 16/17 year olds to complete all modules of the essentials program and or Firefighter I&II is not a bad idea and is already successful in other states, ie Ohio in their high school programs. This allows these individuals upon graduation and or turning 18 to become interior firefighters or even better gain employment as a firefighter. Their training would be no different at 16/17 or 40 meeting the same standards requirements and NFPA guidelines. It would be a mechanism to train them at an early age and foster their experience getting them ready with experience when they are old enough to take that line in the door.

Thank you. On it.

How about we tackle the issue instead of coming up with asinine ideas that won’t fix anything (and we all know it, but until egos are gone nothing will change). Consolidate fire stations and hire firefighters. Problem solved.

So, you cant buy Tobacco until you're 21 in Pa but they think being an interior firefighter is ok at 16? So, if that doesnt work we go to 12 or 10? I would imagine proper fire department funding would do more good.

There are basics in surveying - you can get the result you want based on who you poll. Here’s the reality: underdeveloped decision making in high pressure conditions will lead to thin decision making. This leads to life risk of both actors and support. As much as I want the problem to go away this is NOT the way to make it go away.

How about we try a real solution like supplemental paid staffing that is trained and experienced rather than using inexperienced children?

Lowering the standard because volunteer numbers are down Nd peopleare struggling.. id rather struggle than sit in court when a 16-17 year old kills someone or gets killed...if

37.9% of firefighters polled are delusional

I would not have 16 years I would even up it 20/21 of age

Jordan Isaac Zachary Bilder

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO THIS IS STUPID. AT 16/17 I PROMISE YOU THEY ARE NOT MATURE ENOUGH TO DO THIS.

Mark Kirchgasser

So apparently Paul R. Tate couldn't handle the truth

37.9% of firefighters polled are junior members

Wow, at least you weeded out 537 morons

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PFESI

2 days ago

Thank you Assistant Chief Allen Clark, Fellow's Club Volunteer Fire Company (Crawford County) for engaging and advocating with members of the General Assembly! ... See MoreSee Less

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PFESI

3 days ago

Advocating for your fire service organization is critically important! PFESI would like to recognize Captain Ellen Yarborough from South Media Fire Company (Delaware County) for meeting with Senator Tim Kearney and Chief of Staff Sara McCullough from the 26th Senatorial District. Thank you Ellen! ... See MoreSee Less