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| THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA |
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| HOUSE BILL |
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| INTRODUCED BY FAIRCHILD, BEAR, BELFANTI, BRADFORD, CALTAGIRONE, CARROLL, CAUSER, CLYMER, CREIGHTON, DeWEESE, EVERETT, FLECK, GABLER, GEIST, GIBBONS, GODSHALL, GRELL, GROVE, HALUSKA, HARHAI, HARHART, HARKINS, HARRIS, HENNESSEY, HESS, HICKERNELL, M. KELLER, KNOWLES, KULA, MAJOR, MARSHALL, MARSICO, MICOZZIE, MILLARD, MILLER, MOUL, MURT, OBERLANDER, O'NEILL, PICKETT, RAPP, REED, SAYLOR, SIPTROTH, SOLOBAY, SONNEY, STERN, TALLMAN, TRUE, VULAKOVICH, WATSON, YUDICHAK, SWANGER, BEYER AND GINGRICH, MARCH 12, 2010 |
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| REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, MARCH 12, 2010 |
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| AN ACT |
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1 | Amending Titles 4 (Amusements), 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 35 |
2 | (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated |
3 | Statutes, consolidating statutory provisions relating to |
4 | firefighters, the State Fire Commissioner and grants to fire |
5 | companies and other services; making editorial changes; and |
6 | making related repeals. |
7 | The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
8 | hereby enacts as follows: |
9 | Section 1. Section 1408(b) of Title 4 of the Pennsylvania |
10 | Consolidated Statutes is amended to read: |
11 | § 1408. Transfers from State Gaming Fund. |
12 | * * * |
13 | (b) Transfer for Volunteer Fire Company Grant Program.-- |
14 | Annually, the sum of $25,000,000 shall be transferred from the |
15 | State Gaming Fund to the Volunteer Fire Company Grant Program |
16 | established under [the act of July 31, 2003 (P.L.73, No.17), |
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1 | known as the Volunteer Fire Company and Volunteer Ambulance |
2 | Service Grant Act] 35 Pa.C.S. Ch. 78 (relating to grants to |
3 | volunteer fire companies and volunteer services). |
4 | * * * |
5 | Section 2. Section 3301(h.1) of Title 18 is amended to read: |
6 | § 3301. Arson and related offenses. |
7 | * * * |
8 | [(h.1) Prohibition on certain service.--A person convicted |
9 | of violating this section or any similar offense under Federal |
10 | or State law shall be prohibited from serving as a firefighter |
11 | in this Commonwealth and shall be prohibited from being |
12 | certified as a firefighter under section 4 of the act of |
13 | November 13, 1995 (P.L.604, No.61), known as the State Fire |
14 | Commissioner Act. Proof of nonconviction must consist of either |
15 | of the following: |
16 | (1) An official criminal history record check obtained |
17 | pursuant to Chapter 91 (relating to criminal history record |
18 | information) indicating no arson convictions. |
19 | (2) A dated and signed statement by the person swearing |
20 | to the following: |
21 | I have never been convicted of an offense that |
22 | constitutes the crime of "arson and related offenses" under |
23 | 18 Pa.C.S. § 3301 or any similar offense under any Federal or |
24 | State law. I hereby certify that the statements contained |
25 | herein are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and |
26 | belief. I understand that if I knowingly make any false |
27 | statement herein, I am subject to penalties prescribed by |
28 | law, including, but not limited to, a fine of at least |
29 | $1,000.] |
30 | * * * |
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1 | Section 3. Chapter 73 of Title 35 is amended by adding |
2 | subchapters to read: |
3 | SUBCHAPTER D |
4 | STATE FIREMEN'S TRAINING SCHOOL |
5 | Sec. |
6 | 7351. Establishment, purpose and name. |
7 | 7352. Supervision and control. |
8 | 7353. Powers and duties. |
9 | 7354. Persons admitted. |
10 | 7355. Application for admission. |
11 | 7356. Acquisition of site. |
12 | 7357. Conveyance of land and plans for buildings and |
13 | structures. |
14 | 7358. Leasing by Commonwealth. |
15 | § 7351. Establishment, purpose and name. |
16 | In order to enable the Department of Education more |
17 | effectively to train firefighters under the program of the |
18 | Public Service Institute Board established by the department |
19 | under its vocational education program, there is hereby |
20 | established a training school for firefighters for practical |
21 | training in the control and extinguishment of fires. The |
22 | training school shall be known as The Pennsylvania State |
23 | Firemen's Training School. |
24 | § 7352. Supervision and control. |
25 | The management of the school and the control and care of the |
26 | buildings and grounds owned and used by the Commonwealth for the |
27 | school and the conduct of instruction at the school shall be |
28 | under the direct supervision and control of the Department of |
29 | Education. |
30 | § 7353. Powers and duties. |
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1 | The Department of Education and the Public Service Institute |
2 | Board shall have the power and their duty shall be: |
3 | (1) To fix the salaries of the employees of the school |
4 | in conformity with the standards established by the Executive |
5 | Board. |
6 | (2) To make rules and regulations for the government and |
7 | management of the school and the admission of firefighters |
8 | from the various political subdivisions to the school. |
9 | (3) To prescribe the courses of study and the practical |
10 | training in connection therewith. |
11 | (4) To accept on behalf of the Commonwealth donations of |
12 | land or equipment for the use of the school. |
13 | § 7354. Persons admitted. |
14 | All firefighters who are regularly employed by any local |
15 | political subdivision of this Commonwealth and all regularly |
16 | enrolled members of volunteer fire companies shall be eligible |
17 | for admission to the school and shall be chosen by the governing |
18 | authority of each political subdivision. The Public Service |
19 | Institute Board shall apportion the number admitted to the |
20 | school so that each county is represented in the ratio that the |
21 | number of firefighters in each county bears to the total number |
22 | of firefighters in this Commonwealth. |
23 | § 7355. Application for admission. |
24 | Application for admission shall be made to the Public Service |
25 | Institute Board by the political subdivisions in the manner |
26 | prescribed by the board. |
27 | § 7356. Acquisition of site. |
28 | The Secretary of Education, with the approval of the |
29 | Governor, may accept a gift of land suitable as a site for the |
30 | school or, if no gift of a suitable site is offered, the |
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1 | secretary shall, with the approval of the Governor, select for |
2 | acquisition by the Department of General Services in the name of |
3 | the Commonwealth, a tract of land located in or adjacent to the |
4 | borough of Lewistown for the erection, construction, furnishing |
5 | and equipping thereon by Department of General Services of the |
6 | Pennsylvania State Firemen's Training School. The title to the |
7 | lands so acquired, whether by gift or otherwise, shall be |
8 | approved by the Attorney General. If it shall be found that the |
9 | Commonwealth owns State lands suitable in whole or in part for |
10 | such use, the lands may be designated by the Department of |
11 | Education, with the approval of the Governor and the department, |
12 | board or commission having possession and control of the lands, |
13 | and used for such purpose. Any additional lands necessary may be |
14 | selected and acquired as herein provided. |
15 | § 7357. Conveyance of land and plans for buildings and |
16 | structures. |
17 | Upon the acquisition of any land in the name of the |
18 | Commonwealth or designation of any land of the Commonwealth, the |
19 | Department of General Services shall have the authority to erect |
20 | or construct and furnish and equip thereon the buildings and |
21 | other structures necessary for the Pennsylvania State Firemen's |
22 | Training School. The plans and specifications of the school, |
23 | whether erected on land acquired directly by Department of |
24 | General Services or by conveyance to it from the Commonwealth, |
25 | shall be subject to the approval of the Department of Education |
26 | and shall provide for suitable buildings and other necessary |
27 | equipment, structures and improvements. |
28 | § 7358. Leasing by Commonwealth. |
29 | The Department of General Services, with the approval of the |
30 | Governor, is authorized to enter into a lease for not more than |
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1 | 99 years to acquire the use of the buildings and structures and |
2 | any lands connected therewith and the furnishings and equipment |
3 | thereof for the purpose of having the same managed and operated |
4 | by the Department of Education. |
5 | SUBCHAPTER E |
6 | VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY, AMBULANCE SERVICE |
7 | AND RESCUE SQUAD ASSISTANCE |
8 | Sec. |
9 | 7361. Scope of subchapter. |
10 | 7362. Legislative findings and declaration of purpose. |
11 | 7363. Definitions. |
12 | 7364. Assistance to volunteer fire companies, ambulance |
13 | services and rescue squads. |
14 | 7365. Volunteer Companies Loan Fund. |
15 | 7366. Powers and duties of agency. |
16 | 7367. Authority to borrow. |
17 | 7368. Bonds, issue, maturity and interest. |
18 | 7369. Sale of bonds. |
19 | 7370. Refunding bonds. |
20 | 7371. Disposition and use of proceeds. |
21 | 7372. Registration of bonds. |
22 | 7373. Information to General Assembly. |
23 | 7374. Volunteer Company Loan Sinking Fund and investments. |
24 | 7375. Expenses of preparation, issue and sale of bonds. |
25 | 7376. Repayment obligations for principal and interest. |
26 | 7377. Quorum. |
27 | 7378. Temporary financing authorization. |
28 | 7378.1. Referendum for additional indebtedness. |
29 | 7378.2. Authorization of contracts, reimbursement procedure and |
30 | amount. |
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1 | 7378.3. Reimbursement procedure and amount. |
2 | § 7361. Scope of subchapter. |
3 | This subchapter relates to volunteer fire company, ambulance |
4 | service and rescue squad assistance. |
5 | § 7362. Legislative findings and declaration of purpose. |
6 | (a) Findings.--The General Assembly finds that: |
7 | (1) Under the provisions of section 7(a)(3) of Article |
8 | VIII of the Constitution of Pennsylvania, the voters of the |
9 | Commonwealth approved by referenda on November 4, 1975, the |
10 | incurring of indebtedness of $10,000,000 and on November 3, |
11 | 1981, approved the incurring of an additional $15,000,000 of |
12 | indebtedness and on November 6, 1990, approved the incurring |
13 | of an additional $25,000,000 of indebtedness for loans to |
14 | volunteer fire companies, volunteer ambulance services and |
15 | volunteer rescue squads for the purpose of establishing or |
16 | modernizing facilities to house fire fighting apparatus |
17 | equipment, ambulances and rescue vehicles, and for purchasing |
18 | new fire fighting apparatus equipment, ambulances and rescue |
19 | vehicles, protective and communications equipment, and any |
20 | other accessory equipment necessary for the proper |
21 | performance of such organizations' duties. |
22 | (2) Under the provisions of section 7(a)(3) of Article |
23 | VIII of the Constitution of Pennsylvania, on November 5, |
24 | 2002, the voters of this Commonwealth approved by referendum |
25 | the incurring of indebtedness for the establishment of a |
26 | program that utilizes capital and other related methods to |
27 | enhance and improve the delivery of volunteer fire and |
28 | volunteer emergency services in this Commonwealth. The |
29 | General Assembly further finds that the use of up to |
30 | $50,000,000 of such indebtedness to expand the existing |
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1 | program providing for loans to volunteer fire companies, |
2 | volunteer ambulance services and volunteer rescue squads as |
3 | authorized under this subchapter is an appropriate use of |
4 | such indebtedness. |
5 | (b) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this subchapter to |
6 | implement section 5 of the act of September 25, 1975 (P.L.296, |
7 | No.95), entitled "An act authorizing the indebtedness, with the |
8 | approval of the electors, of ten million dollars for loans to |
9 | volunteer fire companies, volunteer ambulance services and |
10 | volunteer rescue squads for the purpose of establishing or |
11 | modernizing facilities to house fire fighting apparatus |
12 | equipment, ambulances, and rescue vehicles, and for purchasing |
13 | new fire fighting apparatus equipment, ambulances, and rescue |
14 | vehicles, protective and communications equipment, and any other |
15 | accessory equipment necessary for the proper performance of such |
16 | organizations' duties"; section 5 of the act of June 30, 1981 |
17 | (P.L.138, No.44), entitled "An act authorizing the indebtedness, |
18 | with the approval of the electors, of $15,000,000 for loans to |
19 | volunteer fire companies, volunteer ambulance services and |
20 | volunteer rescue squads for the purpose of establishing or |
21 | modernizing facilities to house firefighting apparatus |
22 | equipment, ambulances, and rescue vehicles, and for purchasing |
23 | firefighting apparatus equipment, ambulances, and rescue |
24 | vehicles, protective and communications equipment, and any other |
25 | accessory equipment necessary for the proper performance of such |
26 | organizations' duties," and section 7378.1(5) (relating to |
27 | referendum for additional indebtedness); as well as implement in |
28 | part section 31.3 of the act of June 29, 2002 (P.L.559, No.89), |
29 | entitled "An act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, |
30 | No.2), entitled 'An act relating to tax reform and State |
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1 | taxation by codifying and enumerating certain subjects of |
2 | taxation and imposing taxes thereon; providing procedures for |
3 | the payment, collection, administration and enforcement thereof; |
4 | providing for tax credits in certain cases; conferring powers |
5 | and imposing duties upon the Department of Revenue, certain |
6 | employers, fiduciaries, individuals, persons, corporations and |
7 | other entities; prescribing crimes, offenses and penalties,' |
8 | further providing, in sales and use tax, for definitions, for |
9 | imposition, for exclusions, for licenses, for collection, for |
10 | bulk and auction sales and for crimes; providing, in local tax |
11 | situs, for situs of mobile telecommunications services; further |
12 | providing, in personal income tax, for definitions, for classes |
13 | of income, for special tax provisions for poverty, for |
14 | contributions, for bulk and auction sales and transfers; in |
15 | corporate net income tax, for definitions, for imposition and |
16 | for interest in unincorporated entities; and in capital stock |
17 | and franchise tax, for definitions, for imposition, for deposit |
18 | of proceeds, for interest in unincorporated entities and for |
19 | applicability and expiration; establishing revenue-neutral |
20 | reconciliation in utilities gross receipts tax; providing, in |
21 | public utility realty tax and for surcharge; further providing, |
22 | in realty transfer tax, for furnishing stamps; in cigarette tax, |
23 | for incidence and rate, for floor tax, for commissions on sales |
24 | and for disposition of certain funds; in research and |
25 | development tax credit, for time limitations and for |
26 | termination; in inheritance tax, for definitions, for transfers |
27 | not subject to tax and for estate tax and for estate tax |
28 | returns; providing for immediate assessment, settlement or |
29 | collection and for depreciation of certain property in cities of |
30 | the first class; and making repeals," by providing for loans to |
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1 | volunteer fire, ambulance and rescue companies to protect the |
2 | lives and property of the citizens of this Commonwealth pursuant |
3 | to and to execute the above favorable referenda in subsection |
4 | (a). The General Assembly has determined that volunteer fire |
5 | companies are most in need of loans and therefore intends that, |
6 | to the extent possible, a significant portion of the Volunteer |
7 | Companies Loan Fund be used to provide loans to volunteer fire |
8 | companies and that the balance be allocated to provide loans to |
9 | volunteer ambulance and volunteer rescue companies. The General |
10 | Assembly intends that the loans provided under this subchapter |
11 | be used to replace outmoded or unsafe equipment and buildings of |
12 | volunteer companies and that the loans be provided to volunteer |
13 | companies which are experiencing a need for equipment or |
14 | facilities to meet an increasing demand for a higher level of |
15 | service in the communities which they serve. |
16 | § 7363. Definitions. |
17 | The following words and phrases when used in this subchapter |
18 | shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the |
19 | context clearly indicates otherwise: |
20 | "Accessory equipment." Fire fighting, ambulance and rescue |
21 | equipment necessary to carry out the ordinary functions of |
22 | supporting fires, life and rescue activities. |
23 | "Agency." The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency. |
24 | "Apparatus equipment." Elevated equipment, pumpers, tankers, |
25 | ladder trucks, utility or special service vehicles, ambulances, |
26 | rescue vehicles or other large equipment used for fire fighting |
27 | and emergency services. |
28 | "Communications equipment." Any voice or original |
29 | transmission system required to support the operation of the |
30 | volunteer fire company, volunteer ambulance service and |
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1 | volunteer rescue squad. |
2 | "Establishing." In the context of establishing or |
3 | modernizing facilities, the term means both the construction of |
4 | new buildings and the acquisition or renovation of existing |
5 | structures. |
6 | "Facilities." Facilities used to house fire fighting |
7 | equipment, ambulances and rescue vehicles. The term shall not |
8 | include meeting halls, social rooms or any other facilities not |
9 | directly related to fire fighting. |
10 | "National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards." |
11 | Apparatus and equipment, including personal protective |
12 | equipment, shall be deemed to meet the requirements of |
13 | compliance with the applicable standards of the National Fire |
14 | Protection Association (NFPA), except that: |
15 | (1) New apparatus shall be constructed to meet or exceed |
16 | the standards in effect at the time of manufacture. |
17 | (2) Used fire fighting apparatus shall: |
18 | (i) in no instance meet lesser requirements than the |
19 | standards for apparatus adopted by the National Fire |
20 | Protection Association in 1991; and |
21 | (ii) beginning June 25, 1999, meet the National Fire |
22 | Protection Association standards for apparatus in effect |
23 | at the time of original manufacture, except that no loans |
24 | shall be considered or made for apparatus that cannot |
25 | meet the National Fire Protection Association standards |
26 | in effect no more than 12 years prior to the date of the |
27 | application for loan financing. |
28 | (3) New equipment shall meet or exceed the standards in |
29 | effect at the time of original manufacture. |
30 | (4) Used equipment shall meet or exceed the standards in |
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1 | effect at the time of original manufacture, except that no |
2 | loans for used equipment shall be considered or made for |
3 | equipment more than five years old at the time of application |
4 | for loan assistance. |
5 | (5) In every instance, used equipment and apparatus |
6 | shall meet the applicable National Fire Protection |
7 | Association standards at the time that the loan funds are |
8 | advanced. |
9 | "Protective equipment." Any equipment used by fire fighters, |
10 | volunteer ambulance service personnel or volunteer rescue |
11 | service personnel to protect their person from injury while |
12 | performing their functions, including, but not limited to, |
13 | helmets, turnout coats and pants, boots, eyeshields, gloves and |
14 | self-contained respiratory protection units. |
15 | "Rescue vehicle." Any vehicle, whether a motor vehicle or a |
16 | watercraft, used for rescue services. |
17 | "Utility or special service vehicle." A vehicle carrying |
18 | accessory equipment, including, but not limited to, ladders, |
19 | oxygen equipment, generators and adaptors, floodlights, smoke |
20 | ejectors and other equipment necessary to perform the ordinary |
21 | functions of supporting fire fighting activities. |
22 | "Volunteer ambulance service." Any nonprofit chartered |
23 | corporation, association or organization located in this |
24 | Commonwealth and which is regularly engaged in the service of |
25 | providing emergency medical care and transportation of patients. |
26 | "Volunteer fire company." Any nonprofit chartered |
27 | corporation, association or organization located in this |
28 | Commonwealth which provides fire protection services and other |
29 | voluntary emergency services within this Commonwealth. Voluntary |
30 | emergency services provided by a volunteer fire company may |
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1 | include voluntary ambulance and voluntary rescue services. |
2 | "Volunteer rescue service." Any nonprofit chartered |
3 | corporation, association or organization located in this |
4 | Commonwealth which provides rescue services in this |
5 | Commonwealth. |
6 | "Volunteer Companies Loan Fund." The fund established under |
7 | section 7365 (relating to Volunteer Companies Loan Fund). |
8 | § 7364. Assistance to volunteer fire companies, ambulance |
9 | service and rescue squads. |
10 | (a) General rule.--The agency is authorized, upon |
11 | application of any volunteer fire company, volunteer ambulance |
12 | service or volunteer rescue squad, to make loans for the |
13 | following purposes: |
14 | (1) Establishing or modernizing facilities that house |
15 | fire fighting equipment, ambulance or rescue vehicles. The |
16 | amount of a loan for establishing or modernizing facilities |
17 | made to any one volunteer fire company, ambulance service or |
18 | rescue squad shall not exceed 50% of the total cost of the |
19 | facilities or modernization or $200,000, whichever is less, |
20 | and a notarized financial statement filed under subsection |
21 | (c) shall show that the applicant has available 20% of the |
22 | total cost of the facilities in unobligated funds. Proceeds |
23 | of the loan shall be used only for purposes of structure or |
24 | land acquisition or renovation or construction and shall not |
25 | be used for payment of fees for design, planning, preparation |
26 | of applications or any other cost not directly attributable |
27 | to structure or land acquisition or renovation or |
28 | construction. |
29 | (2) Purchasing fire fighting apparatus, ambulances or |
30 | rescue vehicles. The amount of a loan made for purchasing |
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1 | fire fighting apparatus to any one volunteer fire company |
2 | shall not exceed $100,000 for any single fire fighting |
3 | apparatus equipment or utility or special service vehicle or |
4 | heavy duty rescue vehicle as defined by regulation, or 50% of |
5 | the total cost of the equipment or vehicle, whichever is |
6 | less, except for loans for aerial apparatus as defined by |
7 | regulation, which shall not exceed $150,000. The amount of a |
8 | loan made to any one volunteer fire company, ambulance |
9 | service or rescue squad for any ambulance or light duty |
10 | rescue vehicle as defined by regulation shall not exceed |
11 | $50,000 and for a watercraft rescue vehicle shall not exceed |
12 | $15,000 or 50% of the cost of the ambulance or rescue |
13 | vehicle, whichever is less, and a notarized financial |
14 | statement filed under subsection (c) shall show that the |
15 | applicant has available 20% of the total cost of the vehicle |
16 | in unobligated funds. |
17 | (3) Purchasing protective, accessory or communication |
18 | equipment. No volunteer fire company, ambulance service or |
19 | rescue squad shall receive a loan for protective, accessory |
20 | or communicative equipment more than once in any five-year |
21 | period. Each volunteer fire company, ambulance service or |
22 | rescue squad may apply for a loan for a mobile and portable |
23 | radio unit for each existing serviceable apparatus equipment, |
24 | ambulance or rescue vehicle. Radio equipment obtained through |
25 | loans under this subchapter shall be equipped with a |
26 | frequency or frequencies licensed by the Federal |
27 | Communications Commission for fire fighting or emergency |
28 | response purposes. A notarized financial statement shall be |
29 | filed and loans under this subchapter for the purchase of |
30 | protective, accessory or communicative equipment shall not |
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1 | exceed $10,000. |
2 | (4) Refinancing debt incurred or contracts entered into |
3 | after November 4, 1975, and used for the purchase of |
4 | apparatus equipment or for the construction or modernization |
5 | of facilities or for modification of apparatus equipment in |
6 | order to comply with National Fire Protection Association |
7 | standards. |
8 | (5) Repair or rehabilitation of apparatus equipment. |
9 | Where it has been determined that existing apparatus |
10 | equipment no longer meets the standards of the National Fire |
11 | Protection Association, and the repair or rehabilitation of |
12 | such equipment will bring it in compliance with National Fire |
13 | Protection Association standards, loans for the repair or |
14 | rehabilitation for a single apparatus equipment shall be for |
15 | at least $1,000 but shall not exceed the lesser of $35,000 or |
16 | 80% of the total cost of repair or rehabilitation. |
17 | (6) Purchasing of used fire fighting apparatus, |
18 | equipment, used ambulances, used rescue vehicles, used |
19 | communications equipment, used accessory equipment or used |
20 | protective equipment, except that the used vehicles and |
21 | equipment shall meet the National Fire Protection Association |
22 | (NFPA) standards and loans for the purchase of a used single |
23 | apparatus equipment shall not exceed $60,000 or 80% of the |
24 | total cost of the equipment, whichever is less. |
25 | (7) Purchasing Pennsylvania Fire Information Reporting |
26 | System (PennFIRS) hardware and software. A volunteer fire |
27 | company shall be eligible to apply one time only for a loan |
28 | of not more than $2,000 or 75% of the cost of such |
29 | acquisition, whichever is less, and with a term not exceeding |
30 | five years for the purpose of acquiring the hardware and |
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1 | software necessary to participate in the Pennsylvania Fire |
2 | Information Reporting System. The Office of the State Fire |
3 | Commissioner shall develop, at its discretion, such |
4 | procedures and forms as it may deem necessary to facilitate |
5 | loans for PennFIRS hardware and software. The loans shall be |
6 | secured as required by law. |
7 | (a.1) Limitation.--Loans under this subchapter may be made |
8 | for any of the purposes of subsection (a) undertaken by a |
9 | volunteer fire company, volunteer ambulance service and |
10 | volunteer rescue squad on or after November 4, 1975. |
11 | (b) Loans.--Loans made by the agency in the amount of |
12 | $15,000 or less shall be for a period of not more than five |
13 | years. Loans in excess of $15,000 but for $50,000 or less shall |
14 | be for a period of not more than ten years. The payback period |
15 | of any loan in excess of $50,000, except a loan for establishing |
16 | or modernizing facilities, shall not exceed 15 years. The |
17 | payback period for any loan in excess of $100,000 for |
18 | establishing or modernizing facilities shall not exceed 20 |
19 | years. Loans shall be subject to the payment of interest at 2% |
20 | per year and shall be subject to such security as shall be |
21 | determined by the agency. The total amount of interest earned by |
22 | the investment or reinvestment of all or any part of the |
23 | principal of any loan shall be returned to the agency and |
24 | transferred to the Volunteer Companies Loan Fund and shall not |
25 | be credited as payment of principal or interest on the loan. |
26 | Except as provided in subsection (a)(5) and (7), the minimum |
27 | amount of any loan shall be $5,000. |
28 | (c) Applications.--Every application for a loan shall be |
29 | accompanied by a notarized financial statement of the volunteer |
30 | fire company, ambulance service or rescue squad and a financial |
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1 | plan to show the amount of assets and projected revenues for the |
2 | repayment of the loan, any other obligations of the volunteer |
3 | company and operating expenses over the period of the loan. |
4 | Every application shall be accompanied by evidence sufficient to |
5 | show that all costs except the amount of the loan have been |
6 | obtained by assets of the volunteer company and other loans or |
7 | sources of revenue. If a volunteer fire company, ambulance |
8 | service or rescue squad is unable to meet the 20% requirement of |
9 | subsection (a), then a political subdivision which is served by |
10 | the volunteer company may pledge its credit in the amount of |
11 | funds necessary to satisfy the 20% requirement and, if it does |
12 | so, shall cosign the application submitted by the volunteer |
13 | company. |
14 | (d) Use.--Loans shall be used for the acquisition by |
15 | volunteer companies of new or used apparatus equipment, new or |
16 | used ambulances, new or used rescue vehicles, new or used |
17 | communications equipment, new or used accessory equipment or new |
18 | or used protective equipment or for the acquisition and |
19 | renovation of existing structures to house fire fighting |
20 | equipment, ambulance or rescue vehicles or for the construction |
21 | or modernization of facilities and, except as provided in |
22 | subsection (a)(4), shall not be used for operating expenses or |
23 | for the refinancing of renovated structures, refinancing of |
24 | construction or modernization of facilities, apparatus |
25 | equipment, communication equipment, accessory equipment, nor, |
26 | except as provided in subsection (a)(4), shall be made or used |
27 | to reduce any debt or other obligations issued prior to the |
28 | effective date of this subchapter. |
29 | (e) Payment.--Loans made by the agency shall be paid from |
30 | the Volunteer Companies Loan Fund to the volunteer fire |
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1 | companies, ambulance services and rescue squads in accordance |
2 | with rules and regulations promulgated by the agency. |
3 | (f) Deposit.--All payments of interest on the loans and the |
4 | principal thereof shall be deposited by the agency in the |
5 | Volunteer Companies Loan Fund. |
6 | (g) Eligibility.--A volunteer fire company, ambulance |
7 | service and rescue squad shall be eligible for a loan regardless |
8 | of legal ownership in whole or in part by any political |
9 | subdivision of any facilities or apparatus equipment used by the |
10 | volunteer fire company, volunteer ambulance and volunteer rescue |
11 | squad. Any equipment or facilities financed may be transferred |
12 | to a political subdivision served by the volunteer fire company, |
13 | volunteer ambulance service or volunteer rescue squad subject to |
14 | such security as shall be determined by the agency. |
15 | (h) Maximum amount.--Notwithstanding any other provision of |
16 | this section to the contrary, the maximum amount of any loan to |
17 | a volunteer fire company, volunteer ambulance service and |
18 | volunteer rescue squad for the purchase of fire fighting |
19 | apparatus, ambulances or rescue vehicles manufactured or |
20 | assembled in this Commonwealth may exceed the loan limits set |
21 | forth in this section by $10,000. |
22 | § 7365. Volunteer Companies Loan Fund. |
23 | (a) General rule.--There is created a special fund in the |
24 | Treasury Department to be known as the Volunteer Companies Loan |
25 | Fund to which shall be credited all appropriations made by the |
26 | General Assembly other than appropriations for expenses of |
27 | administering this subchapter or grants from other sources to |
28 | the agency as well as repayment of principal and interest on |
29 | loans made under this subchapter. |
30 | (b) Requisition.--Upon approval of the loan, the agency |
|
1 | shall routinely requisition from the Volunteer Companies Loan |
2 | Fund such amounts as shall be allocated by the agency for loans |
3 | to volunteer companies. When and as the amounts so allocated as |
4 | loans to volunteer companies are repaid pursuant to the terms of |
5 | the agreements made and entered into with the agency, the agency |
6 | shall pay such amounts into the Volunteer Companies Loan Fund, |
7 | it being the intent of this subchapter that the Volunteer |
8 | Companies Loan Fund shall operate as a revolving fund whereby |
9 | all appropriations and payments made thereto may be applied and |
10 | reapplied to the purposes of this subchapter. |
11 | § 7366. Powers and duties of agency. |
12 | (a) Mandatory.--The powers and duties of the agency shall |
13 | be: |
14 | (1) To appoint agents and employees, necessary to the |
15 | administration of this subchapter, and to prescribe their |
16 | duties and to fix their compensation within the limitations |
17 | provided by law. |
18 | (2) To accept grants from the Federal Government and any |
19 | other individual, agency or government for use in the |
20 | Volunteer Companies Loan Fund. |
21 | (3) To loan money over a term of years, but in no case |
22 | in excess of 20 years. |
23 | (4) To promulgate such rules and regulations as it deems |
24 | necessary to carry out its powers and duties under this |
25 | subchapter. |
26 | (b) Discretionary.--The powers and duties of the agency may |
27 | be: |
28 | (1) To require security for all loans. |
29 | (2) To specify priority of liens against any facilities, |
30 | apparatus equipment, ambulances, rescue vehicles or any |
|
1 | equipment purchased by volunteer companies using funds loaned |
2 | under this subchapter to pay all or any part of the purchase |
3 | price, as the agency may require by regulation. |
4 | § 7367. Authority to borrow. |
5 | Under the provisions of section 7(a)(3) of Article VIII of |
6 | the Constitution of Pennsylvania and the referenda approved by |
7 | the electorate on November 4, 1975, November 3, 1981, November |
8 | 6, 1990, and November 5, 2002, the Governor, Auditor General and |
9 | State Treasurer are authorized and directed to borrow, on the |
10 | credit of the Commonwealth, money not exceeding in the aggregate |
11 | the sum of $100,000,000 to implement this subchapter, the act of |
12 | September 25, 1975 (P.L.296, No.95), entitled "An act |
13 | authorizing the indebtedness, with the approval of the electors, |
14 | of ten million dollars for loans to volunteer fire companies, |
15 | volunteer ambulance services and volunteer rescue squads for the |
16 | purpose of establishing or modernizing facilities to house fire |
17 | fighting apparatus equipment, ambulances, and rescue vehicles, |
18 | and for purchasing new fire fighting apparatus equipment, |
19 | ambulances, and rescue vehicles, protective and communications |
20 | equipment, and any other accessory equipment necessary for the |
21 | proper performance of such organizations' duties," and the act |
22 | of June 30, 1981 (P.L.138, No.44), entitled "An act authorizing |
23 | the indebtedness, with the approval of the electors, of |
24 | $15,000,000 for loans to volunteer fire companies, volunteer |
25 | ambulance services and volunteer rescue squads for the purpose |
26 | of establishing or modernizing facilities to house firefighting |
27 | apparatus equipment, ambulances, and rescue vehicles, and for |
28 | purchasing firefighting apparatus equipment, ambulances, and |
29 | rescue vehicles, protective and communications equipment, and |
30 | any other accessory equipment necessary for the proper |
|
1 | performance of such organizations' duties," as well as to |
2 | implement in part section 31.3 of the act of June 29, 2002 |
3 | (P.L.559, No.89), entitled "An act amending the act of March 4, |
4 | 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), entitled 'An act relating to tax reform and |
5 | State taxation by codifying and enumerating certain subjects of |
6 | taxation and imposing taxes thereon; providing procedures for |
7 | the payment, collection, administration and enforcement thereof; |
8 | providing for tax credits in certain cases; conferring powers |
9 | and imposing duties upon the Department of Revenue, certain |
10 | employers, fiduciaries, individuals, persons, corporations and |
11 | other entities; prescribing crimes, offenses and penalties,' |
12 | further providing, in sales and use tax, for definitions, for |
13 | imposition, for exclusions, for licenses, for collection, for |
14 | bulk and auction sales and for crimes; providing, in local tax |
15 | situs, for situs of mobile telecommunications services; further |
16 | providing, in personal income tax, for definitions, for classes |
17 | of income, for special tax provisions for poverty, for |
18 | contributions, for bulk and auction sales and transfers; in |
19 | corporate net income tax, for definitions, for imposition and |
20 | for interest in unincorporated entities; and in capital stock |
21 | and franchise tax, for definitions, for imposition, for deposit |
22 | of proceeds, for interest in unincorporated entities and for |
23 | applicability and expiration; establishing revenue-neutral |
24 | reconciliation in utilities gross receipts tax; providing, in |
25 | public utility realty tax and for surcharge; further providing, |
26 | in realty transfer tax, for furnishing stamps; in cigarette tax, |
27 | for incidence and rate, for floor tax, for commissions on sales |
28 | and for disposition of certain funds; in research and |
29 | development tax credit, for time limitations and for |
30 | termination; in inheritance tax, for definitions, for transfers |
|
1 | not subject to tax and for estate tax and for estate tax |
2 | returns; providing for immediate assessment, settlement or |
3 | collection and for depreciation of certain property in cities of |
4 | the first class; and making repeals." |
5 | § 7368. Bonds, issue, maturity and interest. |
6 | (a) General rule.--As evidence of the indebtedness |
7 | authorized by this subchapter, general obligation bonds of the |
8 | Commonwealth shall be issued from time to time for such total |
9 | amounts, in such form, in such denominations, and subject to |
10 | such terms and conditions of issue, redemption and maturity, |
11 | rate or rates of interest, and time of payment of interest, as |
12 | the Governor, Auditor General and State Treasurer shall direct, |
13 | except that the latest stated maturity date shall not exceed 30 |
14 | years from the date of the bond first issued for each series. |
15 | (b) Facsimile signatures.--All bonds issued under the |
16 | authority of this subchapter shall bear facsimile signatures of |
17 | the Governor, Auditor General and State Treasurer, and a |
18 | facsimile of the Great Seal of the Commonwealth and shall be |
19 | countersigned by two duly authorized officers of the duly |
20 | authorized loan and transfer agents of the Commonwealth. |
21 | (c) Direct obligations.--All bonds issued in accordance with |
22 | this subchapter shall be direct obligations of the Commonwealth, |
23 | and the full faith and credit of the Commonwealth are hereby |
24 | pledged for the payment of the interest thereon as the same |
25 | shall become due and the payment of the principal thereof at |
26 | maturity. All bonds issued under this subchapter shall be exempt |
27 | from taxation for State and local purposes. The principal of and |
28 | interest on such bonds shall be payable in lawful money of the |
29 | United States. |
30 | (d) Types of bonds.--Bonds may be issued as coupon bonds or |
|
1 | registered as to both principal and interest as the issuing |
2 | officials may determine. If interest coupons are attached, they |
3 | shall contain the facsimile signature of the State Treasurer. |
4 | (e) Authorization.--The issuing officials shall provide for |
5 | the amortization of the bonds in substantial and regular amounts |
6 | over the term of the debt, except that the first retirement of |
7 | principal shall be stated to mature prior to the expiration of a |
8 | period of time equal to one-tenth of the time from the date of |
9 | the first obligation issue to evidence such debt to the date of |
10 | the expiration of the term of the debt. Retirements of principal |
11 | shall be regular and substantial if made in annual or semiannual |
12 | amounts whether by stated serial maturities or by mandatory |
13 | sinking fund retirements computed in accordance with either a |
14 | level annual debt service plan, as nearly as may be, or upon the |
15 | equal annual maturities plan. |
16 | (f) Preparation and printing.--The Governor, the Auditor |
17 | General and the State Treasurer shall have the necessary bonds |
18 | prepared and printed. Upon preparation and printing, the bonds |
19 | immediately shall be deposited with the duly authorized loan and |
20 | transfer agent of the Commonwealth and shall remain in the |
21 | agent's possession until sold in accordance with this |
22 | subchapter. |
23 | § 7369. Sale of bonds. |
24 | (a) General rule.--Bonds shall be offered for sale at not |
25 | less than 98% of the principal amount and accrued interest and |
26 | shall be sold by the Governor, the Auditor General and State |
27 | Treasurer to the highest and best bidder or bidders after due |
28 | public advertisement, on such terms and conditions and upon such |
29 | open competitive bidding, as the Governor, Auditor General and |
30 | State Treasurer shall direct. The manner and character of |
|
1 | advertisement and the times of advertising shall be prescribed |
2 | by the Governor, the Auditor General and the State Treasurer. |
3 | (b) Private sale.--Any portion of any bond issue so offered |
4 | and not sold or subscribed for may be disposed of by private |
5 | sale by the Governor, the Auditor General and the State |
6 | Treasurer, in such manner and at such prices, not less than 98% |
7 | of the principal amount and accrued interest, as the Governor |
8 | shall direct. No commission shall be allowed or paid for the |
9 | sale of any bonds issued under the authority of this subchapter. |
10 | (c) Series.--When bonds are issued from time to time, the |
11 | bonds of each issue shall constitute a separate series to be |
12 | designated by the issuing officials or may be combined for sale |
13 | as one series with other general obligation bonds of the |
14 | Commonwealth. |
15 | § 7370. Refunding bonds. |
16 | The Governor, Auditor General and the State Treasurer are |
17 | authorized to provide, by resolution, for the issuance of |
18 | refunding bonds for the purpose of refunding any bonds issued |
19 | under this subchapter and then outstanding, either by voluntary |
20 | exchange with the holders of the outstanding bonds, or by |
21 | providing funds to redeem and retire such outstanding bonds with |
22 | accrued interest and any premium payable thereon, at maturity or |
23 | at any call date. The issuance of such refunding bonds, the |
24 | maturities and other details thereof, the rights of the holders |
25 | thereof and the duties of the Governor, Auditor General and the |
26 | State Treasurer in respect to the same shall be governed by this |
27 | subchapter, insofar as this subchapter may be applicable. |
28 | Refunding bonds may be issued by the Governor, Auditor General |
29 | and the State Treasurer to refund bonds originally issued or to |
30 | refund bonds previously issued for refunding purposes. |
|
1 | § 7371. Disposition and use of proceeds. |
2 | (a) General rule.--The proceeds realized from the sale of |
3 | bonds under this subchapter shall be paid into the Volunteer |
4 | Companies Loan Fund and are specifically dedicated to the |
5 | purposes of the referenda of November 4, 1975, November 3, 1981, |
6 | November 6, 1990, and November 5, 2002, as implemented by this |
7 | subchapter. The moneys shall be paid by the State Treasurer |
8 | periodically to those agencies or authorities authorized to |
9 | expend the moneys at such times and in such amounts as may be |
10 | necessary to satisfy the funding needs of the agency or |
11 | authority. |
12 | (b) Investing.--Pending their application to the purposes |
13 | authorized, moneys held or deposited by the State Treasurer may |
14 | be invested or reinvested as are other funds in the custody of |
15 | the State Treasurer in the manner provided by law. All earnings |
16 | received from the investment or deposit of such funds shall be |
17 | paid into the State treasury to the credit of the Volunteer |
18 | Companies Loan Fund. |
19 | § 7372. Registration of bonds. |
20 | The Auditor General shall prepare the necessary registry book |
21 | to be kept in the office of the duly authorized loan and |
22 | transfer agent of the Commonwealth for the registration of any |
23 | bonds, at the request of owners thereof, according to the terms |
24 | and conditions of issue directed by the Governor, the Auditor |
25 | General and the State Treasurer. All bonds which are issued |
26 | without interest coupons attached shall be registered in the |
27 | registry books kept by the duly authorized loan and transfer |
28 | agent of the Commonwealth. |
29 | § 7373. Information to General Assembly. |
30 | It shall be the duty of the Governor to include in every |
|
1 | budget submitted to the General Assembly, full information |
2 | relating to the issuance of bonds under this subchapter, and the |
3 | status of the sinking fund of the Commonwealth for the payment |
4 | of the interest on said bonds and the principal thereof at |
5 | maturity. |
6 | § 7374. Volunteer Company Loan Sinking Fund and investments. |
7 | All bonds issued under this subchapter shall be redeemed at |
8 | maturity and all interest due from time to time on such bonds |
9 | shall be paid from the Volunteer Company Loan Sinking Fund, |
10 | which is hereby created. For the specific purpose of redeeming |
11 | bonds issued under this subchapter at maturity and paying all |
12 | interest thereon in accordance with the information received |
13 | from the Governor, the General Assembly shall appropriate moneys |
14 | to the Volunteer Company Loan Sinking Fund for the payment of |
15 | interest on such bonds and the principal thereof at maturity. |
16 | All moneys paid into the Volunteer Company Loan Sinking Fund and |
17 | all of such moneys not necessary to pay accruing interest shall |
18 | be invested by the Board of Finance and Revenue in such |
19 | securities as are provided by law for the investment of the |
20 | sinking funds of the Commonwealth. |
21 | § 7375. Expenses of preparation, issue and sale of bonds. |
22 | There is appropriated to the State Treasurer from the |
23 | proceeds of the bonds issued as much moneys as may be necessary |
24 | for all costs and expenses in connection with the issue of and |
25 | sale and registration of the bonds in connection with this |
26 | subchapter. |
27 | § 7376. Repayment obligations for principal and interest. |
28 | The General Assembly shall appropriate an amount equal to |
29 | moneys received from the agency under section 7365 (relating to |
30 | Volunteer Companies Loan Fund) and such other moneys as may be |
|
1 | necessary to meet repayment obligations for principal and |
2 | interest into the Volunteer Company Loan Sinking Fund. |
3 | § 7377. Quorum. |
4 | Whenever under this subchapter an action is to be taken or a |
5 | decision is to be made by the Governor, the Auditor General and |
6 | the State Treasurer, and the three officers shall not be able to |
7 | agree unanimously, the action or decision of the Governor and |
8 | either the Auditor General or State Treasurer shall be binding |
9 | and final. |
10 | § 7378. Temporary financing authorization. |
11 | (a) General rule.--Pending the issuance of bonds of the |
12 | Commonwealth, the Governor, Auditor General and State Treasurer |
13 | are authorized on the credit of the Commonwealth to make |
14 | temporary borrowings of such moneys as may from time to time be |
15 | necessary to carry out the purposes of this subchapter and are |
16 | authorized in the name and on behalf of the Commonwealth to |
17 | enter into loan or credit agreements with any banks or trust |
18 | companies or other lending institutions or persons in the United |
19 | States having power to enter into the same. |
20 | (b) Notes.--All temporary borrowings made under the |
21 | authority of this section shall be evidenced by notes of the |
22 | Commonwealth, which shall be issued from time to time for such |
23 | amounts not exceeding in the aggregate the sum of $100,000,000 |
24 | in such form and in such denominations, and subject to such |
25 | terms and conditions of issue, prepayment or redemption and |
26 | maturity, rate of interest and time of payment of interest, as |
27 | the issuing officials shall direct. All notes issued under the |
28 | authority of this section shall bear the facsimile signatures of |
29 | the issuing officials and a facsimile of the Great Seal of the |
30 | Commonwealth, and shall be countersigned by one duly authorized |
|
1 | officer of a duly authorized loan and transfer agent of the |
2 | Commonwealth. |
3 | (c) Funding of notes.--All such notes shall be funded and |
4 | retired by the issuance and sale of bonds of the Commonwealth to |
5 | the extent that payment of such notes has not otherwise been |
6 | made or provided for. |
7 | (d) Proceeds.--The proceeds of all such temporary borrowings |
8 | shall be paid into the Volunteer Companies Loan Fund. |
9 | § 7378.1. Referendum for additional indebtedness. |
10 | The following shall apply: |
11 | (1) The question of incurring indebtedness of |
12 | $25,000,000 for loans to volunteer fire companies, volunteer |
13 | ambulance services and volunteer rescue squads for the |
14 | purpose of establishing or modernizing facilities to house |
15 | firefighting apparatus equipment, ambulances and rescue |
16 | vehicles, and for purchasing firefighting apparatus |
17 | equipment, ambulances and rescue vehicles, protective and |
18 | communications equipment and any other accessory equipment |
19 | necessary for the proper performance of such organizations' |
20 | duties, shall be submitted to the electors at the next |
21 | primary, municipal or general election held after July 15, |
22 | 1976. |
23 | (2) The Secretary of the Commonwealth shall forthwith |
24 | certify the question to the county boards of election. |
25 | (3) The question shall be in substantially the following |
26 | form: |
27 | Do you favor the incurring of indebtedness of |
28 | $25,000,000 for loans to volunteer fire companies, |
29 | volunteer ambulance services and volunteer rescue squads |
30 | for the purpose of establishing or modernizing facilities |
|
1 | to house firefighting apparatus equipment, ambulances and |
2 | rescue vehicles, and for purchasing firefighting |
3 | apparatus equipment, ambulances and rescue vehicles, |
4 | protective and communications equipment, and any other |
5 | accessory equipment necessary for the proper performance |
6 | of such organizations' duties? |
7 | (4) The election shall be conducted in accordance with |
8 | the act of June 3, 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), known as the |
9 | Pennsylvania Election Code, except that the time limits for |
10 | advertisement of notice of the election may be waived as to |
11 | the question. |
12 | (5) Proceeds of borrowing shall be used through loans to |
13 | volunteer fire companies, volunteer ambulance services and |
14 | volunteer rescue squads pursuant to and for any purpose |
15 | established by this subchapter. |
16 | § 7378.2. Authorization of contracts, reimbursement procedure |
17 | and amount. |
18 | The following shall apply: |
19 | (1) The Secretary of General Services is authorized to |
20 | enter into contracts with local volunteer fire, ambulance and |
21 | rescue companies to provide services necessary to extinguish |
22 | fires or perform any other allied services on State-owned |
23 | property. |
24 | (2) The Secretary of Transportation is authorized to |
25 | enter into contracts with local volunteer fire, ambulance and |
26 | rescue companies to provide services necessary to extinguish |
27 | fires or perform any other allied services on limited access |
28 | highways, other than the Pennsylvania Turnpike. |
29 | § 7378.3. Reimbursement procedure and amount. |
30 | The following shall apply: |
|
1 | (1) A contract between the Secretary of General Services |
2 | or the Secretary of Transportation and a local volunteer |
3 | fire, ambulance and rescue company shall provide that the |
4 | Department of General Services or the Department of |
5 | Transportation shall, monthly, upon receipt of proper proof, |
6 | reimburse each contracted volunteer fire, ambulance and |
7 | rescue company attending and providing fire control or other |
8 | allied services on State-owned property or limited access |
9 | highways, as the case may be, a minimum amount of $50 for |
10 | each verified fire or emergency call and the cost of any |
11 | special extinguishing agents utilized, which the volunteer |
12 | fire, ambulance and rescue company made in the preceding |
13 | month as certified by the person in charge at the particular |
14 | State-owned property or by an individual or individuals |
15 | designated by the Secretary of Transportation to verify |
16 | services rendered on limited access highways. |
17 | (2) A contract between the Department of General |
18 | Services or the Department of Transportation and a local |
19 | volunteer ambulance or rescue company shall also provide that |
20 | the ambulance or rescue company request reimbursement from |
21 | collectible insurance proceeds available as a result of the |
22 | fire or emergency situation for which the ambulance or rescue |
23 | company provided allied services. Proceeds payable to the |
24 | ambulance or rescue company shall be deducted from the |
25 | reimbursement for services provided pursuant to a contract |
26 | entered into under this subchapter. Prior to payment for |
27 | services rendered, the local volunteer ambulance or rescue |
28 | company shall provide proof that they requested reimbursement |
29 | from collectible insurance proceeds. |
30 | (3) A false alarm on State-owned property to which a |
|
1 | volunteer fire, ambulance or rescue company responds shall |
2 | constitute a fire or emergency call and shall be reimbursed |
3 | at a rate set by the contract with the Secretary of General |
4 | Services, but shall not be less than $25 for each occurrence. |
5 | SUBCHAPTER F |
6 | STATE FIRE COMMISSIONER |
7 | Sec. |
8 | 7381. Scope of subchapter. |
9 | 7382. Definitions. |
10 | 7383. State Fire Commissioner. |
11 | 7384. Pennsylvania State Fire Academy. |
12 | 7385. Pennsylvania Volunteer Loan Assistance Program. |
13 | 7386. Fire Safety Advisory Committee. |
14 | 7387. Appropriations. |
15 | § 7381. Scope of subchapter. |
16 | This subchapter relates to the State Fire Commissioner. |
17 | § 7382. Definitions. |
18 | The following words and phrases when used in this subchapter |
19 | shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the |
20 | context clearly indicates otherwise: |
21 | "Agency." The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency. |
22 | "Commissioner." The State Fire Commissioner. |
23 | "Committee." The Fire Safety Advisory Committee. |
24 | § 7383. State Fire Commissioner. |
25 | (a) State Fire Commissioner.--There shall be a State Fire |
26 | Commissioner, who, through the Lieutenant Governor, shall report |
27 | to the Governor on all matters concerning fire safety in this |
28 | Commonwealth. The Office of the State Fire Commissioner shall be |
29 | within the agency for administrative purposes only, and the |
30 | commissioner shall not report to the director of the agency. The |
|
1 | commissioner shall have the power and duty to: |
2 | (1) Coordinate the activities of State and local |
3 | community interests engaged in fire prevention and control |
4 | activities. |
5 | (2) Serve as a focal point for information relative to |
6 | fires, property damage, injuries and the loss of life. |
7 | (3) Disseminate, through periodic reports, information |
8 | about fire prevention efforts and fire control techniques. |
9 | (4) Develop and participate in a program of public |
10 | information and education designed to create a public |
11 | awareness of the incidence and the ravages of fire and |
12 | methods the individual can take to prevent fires and minimize |
13 | loss when they occur. |
14 | (5) Serve as a central point to support local efforts |
15 | and interests in all matters pertinent to fire prevention and |
16 | control. |
17 | (b) Transfer.--The commissioner shall use, employ and |
18 | expend, in connection with the functions, powers and duties |
19 | enumerated in subsection (a) for the position of the |
20 | commissioner, contract obligations, if any, records, files, |
21 | property, supplies and equipment now being used or held in |
22 | connection with such functions, powers and duties and the |
23 | unexpended balance of appropriations, allocations, Federal |
24 | grants and other funds available or to be made available for use |
25 | in connection with such functions, powers and duties as |
26 | previously were vested in the agency by Reorganization Plan No.5 |
27 | of 1981 (P.L.612). |
28 | (c) Qualifications and appointment.--The commissioner shall |
29 | be a person who, by reason of training, experience and |
30 | attainment, is qualified to coordinate fire prevention and |
|
1 | control activities. The commissioner shall be appointed by the |
2 | Governor after consultation with the fire service community. The |
3 | commissioner shall act as the Commonwealth's primary |
4 | representative with the Statewide fire service community. |
5 | § 7384. Pennsylvania State Fire Academy. |
6 | (a) Creation.--There is created the Pennsylvania State Fire |
7 | Academy, which shall be under the operational control of the |
8 | commissioner. The commissioner shall administratively provide |
9 | for the erection or construction, the furnishing, the staffing |
10 | and the equipping of buildings and structures through the |
11 | Department of General Services and for the leasing thereof by |
12 | the Commonwealth for the use and support of the Pennsylvania |
13 | State Fire Academy. The Pennsylvania State Firemen's Training |
14 | School and the powers and duties of the Department of Education |
15 | and the Public Service Institute Board pertaining to the |
16 | Pennsylvania State Firemen's Training School, which were |
17 | transferred to the agency under Reorganization Plan No.6 of 1981 |
18 | (P.L.613) and which are set forth in Subchapter D (relating to |
19 | State Firemen's Training School), are hereby transferred to and |
20 | vested in the commissioner. |
21 | (b) Transfer.--There are transferred to the commissioner, to |
22 | be used, employed and expended in connection with the functions, |
23 | powers and duties enumerated in subsection (a), personnel, |
24 | contract obligations, if any, records, files, property, supplies |
25 | and equipment now being used or held in connection with such |
26 | functions, powers and duties and the unexpended balance of |
27 | appropriations, allocations, Federal grants and other funds |
28 | available or to be made available for use in connection with |
29 | such functions, powers and duties as previously were vested in |
30 | the Department of Education and the Public Service Institute |
|
1 | Board under Subchapter D, and transferred to the agency by |
2 | Reorganization Plan No.6 of 1981 (P.L.613). |
3 | (c) Hazardous chemical and radioactive material training.-- |
4 | The Pennsylvania State Fire Academy shall serve as the resident |
5 | Commonwealth government center for hazardous chemical and |
6 | radioactive material training. The Pennsylvania State Fire |
7 | Academy is authorized to use resident and field staff to support |
8 | this training. |
9 | (d) Firefighter training and certification.--A Statewide |
10 | firefighter training program shall be implemented by the |
11 | commissioner to educate the fire service community about the |
12 | importance of firefighter health and safety. This program shall |
13 | include measures designed to increase the mobility of training |
14 | courses throughout this Commonwealth, to enhance firefighter |
15 | accessibility to training course offerings and to improve and |
16 | expand training for and response capability to emergencies with |
17 | emphasis on hazardous materials incidents. The program shall |
18 | also include implementation of a firefighter certification |
19 | program in accordance with parameters developed by the |
20 | commissioner consistent with established standards. The |
21 | acquisition of physical resources to enhance Statewide |
22 | capability shall be coordinated by the commissioner. |
23 | (e) Administration.-- |
24 | (1) The commissioner may assess reasonable fees on for- |
25 | profit corporations and businesses and on students who are |
26 | nonresidents of this Commonwealth for fire, rescue and |
27 | emergency service training programs provided to them by the |
28 | Pennsylvania State Fire Academy, but in no event shall any |
29 | member of a municipal or volunteer fire, rescue, ambulance or |
30 | other emergency service organization located within this |
|
1 | Commonwealth be charged for training provided at the |
2 | Pennsylvania State Fire Academy. |
3 | (2) The commissioner may charge all students for class |
4 | materials and supplies directly related to the conduct of |
5 | classes provided at the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy and |
6 | for insignia, patches and similar memorabilia indicating |
7 | student attendance or achievement at the Pennsylvania State |
8 | Fire Academy. |
9 | (3) All revenues generated by these fees and charges |
10 | shall augment the appropriation made to the Office of the |
11 | State Fire Commissioner. |
12 | § 7385. Pennsylvania Volunteer Loan Assistance Program. |
13 | (a) Creation.--There shall be a loan assistance program, |
14 | which shall be implemented by the commissioner, for volunteer |
15 | agencies, known as the Pennsylvania Volunteer Loan Assistance |
16 | Program, which shall make loans under Subchapter E (relating to |
17 | volunteer fire company, ambulance service and rescue squad |
18 | assistance). The Pennsylvania Volunteer Loan Assistance Program |
19 | and the powers and duties previously vested in the Department of |
20 | Community Affairs, which were transferred to the agency under |
21 | Reorganization Plan No.7 of 1981 (P.L.615) and which are set |
22 | forth under Subchapter E, are hereby transferred to and vested |
23 | in the commissioner. |
24 | (b) Transfer.--There are transferred to the commissioner, to |
25 | be used, employed and expended in connection with the functions, |
26 | powers and duties enumerated in subsection (a), personnel, |
27 | contractual obligations, if any, mortgages, liens, encumbrances |
28 | and any other secured interests, records, files, property, |
29 | supplies and equipment now being used or held in connection with |
30 | such functions, powers and duties and the unexpended balance of |
|
1 | appropriations, allocations and other funds available or to be |
2 | made available for use in connection with such functions, powers |
3 | and duties as previously were vested in the Department of |
4 | Community Affairs under Subchapter E and transferred to the |
5 | agency by Reorganization Plan No.7 of 1981 (P.L.615). |
6 | (c) Regulations.--The Volunteer Loan Assistance Program |
7 | regulations found in 4 Pa. Code Ch. 113 (relating to volunteer |
8 | fire company, ambulance service and rescue squad assistance) are |
9 | hereby transferred to the commissioner from the agency. The |
10 | commissioner shall fully implement and administer those |
11 | regulations on or before January 12, 1996. The commissioner may |
12 | be substituted for the agency throughout the regulations and the |
13 | regulations may be renumbered and published in the Pennsylvania |
14 | Bulletin as final regulations without those regulatory changes |
15 | being subject to the provisions of the act of June 25, 1982 |
16 | (P.L.633, No.181), known as the Regulatory Review Act. |
17 | § 7386. Fire Safety Advisory Committee. |
18 | (a) Creation.-- |
19 | (1) There is created the Fire Safety Advisory Committee |
20 | to assist the commissioner. The committee shall consist of |
21 | nine members, as follows: |
22 | (i) The director of the agency, ex officio. |
23 | (ii) The commissioner, who shall serve as chairman. |
24 | (iii) Two paid firefighters to be appointed by the |
25 | Governor from a list of at least six nominees submitted |
26 | by the Pennsylvania Professional Firefighters |
27 | Association. |
28 | (iv) One member of the public to be appointed by the |
29 | Governor. |
30 | (v) Four volunteer firefighters, one each to be |
|
1 | appointed by the President pro tempore of the Senate, the |
2 | Minority Leader of the Senate, the Speaker of the House |
3 | of Representatives and the Minority Leader of the House |
4 | of Representatives. |
5 | (2) Members of the committee shall serve at the pleasure |
6 | of their appointing authority. The committee shall advise the |
7 | commissioner on matters pertaining to the operation of the |
8 | Pennsylvania State Fire Academy and any other matters as the |
9 | commissioner may request. |
10 | (b) Expenses.--Members of the committee shall receive |
11 | reimbursement for reasonable travel, hotel and other necessary |
12 | expenses incurred in the performance of their duties in |
13 | accordance with Commonwealth regulations. |
14 | § 7387. Appropriations. |
15 | All appropriations for the commissioner shall be by a |
16 | separate line item in the General Appropriation Act. |
17 | Section 4. Title 35 is amended by adding a chapter to read: |
18 | CHAPTER 74 |
19 | VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS |
20 | Subchapter |
21 | A. Preliminary Provisions |
22 | B. Relief Association |
23 | C. Employment Sanctions |
24 | D. Special Fire Police |
25 | SUBCHAPTER A |
26 | PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS |
27 | Sec. |
28 | 7401. Scope of chapter. |
29 | 7402. Definitions (Reserved). |
30 | 7403. Insurance and compensation. |
|
1 | § 7401. Scope of chapter. |
2 | This chapter relates to volunteer firefighters. |
3 | § 7402. Definitions (Reserved). |
4 | § 7403. Insurance and compensation. |
5 | A city, borough or township may expend out of the public |
6 | funds of the municipality an amount necessary to secure |
7 | insurance or compensation for volunteer firemen killed or |
8 | injured while going to, returning from or attending fires in the |
9 | municipality or territory adjacent thereto. |
10 | SUBCHAPTER B |
11 | RELIEF ASSOCIATION |
12 | Sec. |
13 | 7411. Scope of subchapter. |
14 | 7412. Definitions. |
15 | 7413. Statement of purpose. |
16 | 7414. Construction. |
17 | 7415. Structure. |
18 | 7416. Funds. |
19 | 7417. Cooperation agreements. |
20 | 7418. Audits. |
21 | 7419. Dissolution. |
22 | § 7411. Scope of subchapter. |
23 | This subchapter relates to relief associations. |
24 | § 7412. Definitions. |
25 | The following words and phrases when used in this subchapter |
26 | shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the |
27 | context clearly indicates otherwise: |
28 | "Fire service." The service of organized groups of |
29 | individuals, not only in training for and in active duty in the |
30 | protection of the public against fire, but also in the training |
|
1 | for and the performance of such other activities as are commonly |
2 | undertaken by fire companies and their affiliated organizations, |
3 | including, but not limited to, fire prevention, first aid, |
4 | rescue and salvage, ambulance service, fire police work, radio |
5 | communications, assistance at accidents, control of crowds both |
6 | on the fire grounds and at occasions of public or general |
7 | assembly, animal rescue, abatement of conditions due to storm, |
8 | flood or general peril, abatement or removal of hazards to |
9 | safety and participation in public celebrations, parades, |
10 | demonstrations and fundraising campaigns. |
11 | "Volunteer firefighter." A person who is a member of: |
12 | (1) a fire company organized and existing under the laws |
13 | of this Commonwealth; |
14 | (2) a fire police unit, rescue squad, ambulance corps or |
15 | other like organization affiliated with one or more fire |
16 | companies; or |
17 | (3) a fire company or affiliated organization which |
18 | participates in the fire service but does not look to that |
19 | service as his or her primary means of livelihood. |
20 | A person does not lose status as a volunteer firefighter solely |
21 | because he or she may also be a paid firefighter, so long as the |
22 | person is acting within the scope of his or her responsibilities |
23 | as a member of a volunteer fire company at the pertinent time |
24 | and not within the scope of his or her responsibilities as a |
25 | paid firefighter. |
26 | "Volunteer firefighters' relief association." An |
27 | organization formed primarily to afford financial protection to |
28 | volunteer firefighters against the consequences of misfortune |
29 | suffered as a result of their participation in the fire service. |
30 | The organization may contain within its membership the members |
|
1 | of one or more fire companies and may serve secondary purposes, |
2 | as set forth in this subchapter, but only if adequate provisions |
3 | have been first made to serve the primary purpose. |
4 | § 7413. Statement of purpose. |
5 | The purpose of this subchapter is to encourage individuals to |
6 | take part in the fire service as volunteer firefighters by |
7 | establishing criteria and standards for orderly administration |
8 | and conduct of affairs of firefighters' relief associations to |
9 | ensure, as far as circumstances will reasonably permit, that |
10 | funds shall be available for the protection of volunteer |
11 | firefighters and their heirs in order to provide: |
12 | (1) Financial assistance to volunteer firefighters who |
13 | may suffer injury or misfortune by reason of their |
14 | participation in the fire service. |
15 | (2) Financial assistance to the widow, children and |
16 | other dependents of volunteer firefighters who lose their |
17 | lives as a result of their participation in the fire service. |
18 | (3) For payment, either by insurance or by operation of |
19 | a beneficial fund, of a sum certain to designated |
20 | beneficiaries of a participating member following the death |
21 | of a member for any cause, and to establish criteria which |
22 | members must meet in order to qualify as participants in a |
23 | death benefit fund. |
24 | (4) Safeguards for preserving life, health and safety of |
25 | volunteer firefighters to ensure their availability to |
26 | participate in the fire service. |
27 | (5) Financial assistance to volunteer firefighters who, |
28 | after having actively participated in the fire service for a |
29 | specified minimum term, are no longer physically able to |
30 | continue participation and are in need of financial |
|
1 | assistance. |
2 | (6) Funds to aid rehabilitation of volunteer |
3 | firefighters who have suffered an impairment of their |
4 | physical capacity to continue to perform their normal |
5 | occupations. |
6 | (7) Sufficient funds to ensure the efficient and |
7 | economic handling of the business of firefighters' relief |
8 | associations in accomplishing the objectives of this section. |
9 | § 7414. Construction. |
10 | This subchapter shall be: |
11 | (1) Construed, applied and interpreted, so far as |
12 | circumstances permit, as justifying the actions of the |
13 | officers and members of volunteer firefighters' relief |
14 | associations affected by it, when the actions appear to have |
15 | been taken in good faith and in a bona fide belief that they |
16 | were in furtherance of the purposes of this subchapter. |
17 | (2) Strictly construed and applied against persons |
18 | responsible: |
19 | (i) for actions taken in willful disregard of the |
20 | purposes of this subchapter, or with reckless |
21 | indifference to those purposes; and |
22 | (ii) if an action which has been called into |
23 | question results, has resulted or was likely to result in |
24 | an unmerited personal benefit to one or more of the |
25 | persons responsible for taking that action. |
26 | § 7415. Structure. |
27 | (a) General rule.--A volunteer firefighters' relief |
28 | association may be a body corporate, governed by a charter and |
29 | bylaws or an unincorporated association of individuals governed |
30 | by bylaws and a constitution. In either case, it must provide |
|
1 | for taking and preserving minutes of all meetings and |
2 | maintenance of such books of account as may be necessary and |
3 | appropriate to afford a permanent record of its fiscal affairs. |
4 | (b) Constitution or charter.--The constitution or charter |
5 | shall: |
6 | (1) State the name, purposes and form of the |
7 | organization. |
8 | (2) Designate the class or classes of persons eligible |
9 | for membership and procedures to be followed in making |
10 | amendments. |
11 | (c) Bylaws.--The bylaws shall: |
12 | (1) Specify the requirements for securing membership, |
13 | voting rights of different classes of members, if there be |
14 | different classes, and conditions under which membership may |
15 | be terminated. |
16 | (2) State the notice requirements and procedure to be |
17 | followed in calling meetings, as well as quorum requirements |
18 | for regular and special meetings of the membership and for |
19 | regular and special meetings of the body which governs the |
20 | operations of the association between membership meetings, |
21 | and shall designate that body, whether it be a board of |
22 | directors, trustees or any similar body such as an executive |
23 | committee. Unless otherwise provided for in the bylaws, |
24 | powers and duties of officers, directors and trustees shall |
25 | be those which normally pertain to such positions in |
26 | nonprofit corporations. |
27 | (3) Require that the signatures of at least two |
28 | officers, one of whom shall be the disbursing officer, shall |
29 | be required to bind the association by formal contract or to |
30 | issue a negotiable instrument. |
|
1 | (4) Require that the disbursing officer, whether |
2 | designated treasurer, comptroller, financial secretary or |
3 | otherwise, shall be bonded by corporate surety for faithful |
4 | performance of duty. The amount of the bond shall be at least |
5 | as great as the maximum cash balance in current funds of the |
6 | association at any time during the fiscal year, and the |
7 | premium on the bond shall be a proper charge against funds of |
8 | the association. |
9 | (5) State the procedure to be followed in nominating and |
10 | electing officers, trustees, directors and members of the |
11 | executive committee, according to the provisions which have |
12 | been made for establishment of those positions. |
13 | (6) Establish procedures for the approval and payment of |
14 | expenditures, investment of funds and sale of investments. |
15 | (7) Set out the procedure to be followed in amending |
16 | bylaws. |
17 | (8) Specify notice required with respect to proposed |
18 | bylaw amendments, including the time, place and date when the |
19 | proposed amendments shall be considered. |
20 | (9) Be faithfully preserved, along with amendments |
21 | thereto and the effective date of the amendments, in |
22 | permanent form. |
23 | (10) Contain such other provisions as may, to the |
24 | membership, seem appropriate or necessary to the orderly |
25 | conduct of affairs of the association. |
26 | (d) Standing procedures.--In addition to adopting bylaws, an |
27 | association may adopt standing procedures, which shall be such |
28 | matters as the membership may regard to be of a routine nature. |
29 | Standing procedures may be adopted, modified or repealed by |
30 | motion and majority vote but shall not be inconsistent with the |
|
1 | bylaws, and they shall be recorded as an appendix to the bylaws. |
2 | (e) Charitable corporation.--A volunteer firefighters' |
3 | relief association organized or conducted in accordance with the |
4 | requirements of this section shall be regarded as a charitable |
5 | corporation for all purposes, including the right to establish |
6 | exemption from the operation of certain taxes. |
7 | § 7416. Funds. |
8 | (a) General rule.--A volunteer firefighters' relief |
9 | association may solicit and receive gifts and contributions from |
10 | any source, including municipal corporations, but shall not have |
11 | the right to receive any portion of the money distributed to |
12 | political subdivisions of this Commonwealth under Chapter 7 of |
13 | the act of December 18, 1984 (P.L.1005, No.205), known as the |
14 | Municipal Pension Plan Funding Standard and Recovery Act, unless |
15 | and until the governing body of at least one political |
16 | subdivision shall have certified to the Auditor General that the |
17 | association is a bona fide volunteer firefighters' relief |
18 | association, affiliated with a fire company which affords |
19 | protection against fire to all or a portion of the political |
20 | subdivision. |
21 | (b) Deposit.--Funds of a volunteer firefighters' relief |
22 | association may be deposited in any bank, trust company or other |
23 | banking establishment accredited by the Commonwealth or insured |
24 | by the Government of the United States. |
25 | (c) Investments.--All or any part of the funds of a |
26 | volunteer firefighters' relief association may be invested: |
27 | (1) In any form of investment named in 20 Pa.C.S. Ch. 73 |
28 | (relating to municipalities investments). First mortgages |
29 | insuring repayment of loans by relief associations shall |
30 | provide for a minimum interest payment of 3% and not exceed |
|
1 | 80% of the appraised value of real property covered by the |
2 | mortgage. |
3 | (2) In any obligation of a political subdivision, having |
4 | the power to levy or collect taxes. |
5 | (3) In any obligation of an incorporated fire company, |
6 | provided that the obligation is: |
7 | (i) Secured by assets of the company having capital |
8 | value equal to at least 150% of the amount of the |
9 | obligation at the time it is made. |
10 | (ii) Subject to provisions which amortize the loan |
11 | at a rate ensuring that the depreciated value of the |
12 | assets pledged shall continue to be at least 150% of the |
13 | balance due. |
14 | (d) Limitation.--No investment shall be acquired, encumbered |
15 | or sold except pursuant to resolution duly enacted by the |
16 | governing body of the association. |
17 | (e) Income from investments.--Income from investments may be |
18 | invested or spent in the same way as any other income. |
19 | (f) Funds of any volunteer firefighters' relief association |
20 | may be spent: |
21 | (1) To pay for such normal and reasonable running |
22 | expenses as may be appropriate to the businesslike conduct of |
23 | the affairs of the association, including legal fees, rental |
24 | or purchase of offices, payment of reasonable compensation of |
25 | employees and purchase of office equipment and supplies. |
26 | (2) To purchase contracts of insurance which, at a |
27 | minimum, shall afford financial assistance to active members |
28 | of the fire service represented by the association against |
29 | losses due to injury suffered in the fire service and may |
30 | also provide, in the order named: |
|
1 | (i) for payments to the surviving spouse or other |
2 | dependents of a member in the event of the member's |
3 | death; |
4 | (ii) for protection of active firefighters against |
5 | disease; |
6 | (iii) for replacement or purchase of prosthetic |
7 | devices such as visual aids, hearing aids, dentures, |
8 | braces, crutches and the like, where those devices have |
9 | been lost or damaged while the owner was engaged in the |
10 | fire service or where the need for those devices arose |
11 | because of functional impairment attributable to |
12 | participation in the fire service; |
13 | (iv) for repair or replacement, if necessary, of |
14 | articles of clothing or pocket pagers damaged or lost in |
15 | the course of participation in the fire service; and |
16 | (v) for disability incurred after service for a |
17 | minimum of 20 years as a volunteer firefighter. |
18 | (3) To maintain a beneficiary or death benefit fund and |
19 | to pay a sum certain from that fund to the beneficiary of a |
20 | participant in that fund upon death. If a beneficiary is not |
21 | designated or a designated one has predeceased the |
22 | participant, the sum certain shall be paid to the estate of |
23 | the participant. |
24 | (4) To pay in full or in part for damage or loss in any |
25 | of the categories mentioned in paragraph (2) in a specific |
26 | case where: |
27 | (i) no policy of insurance is in force covering the |
28 | risk; or |
29 | (ii) the amount payable under insurance policies in |
30 | force is inadequate to cover the loss. |
|
1 | (5) To pay the cost of procuring and forwarding tokens |
2 | of sympathy and goodwill to a volunteer firefighter who may |
3 | be ill or hospitalized as a result of participation in the |
4 | fire service or who may die or who may be seriously ill for |
5 | any reason. |
6 | (6) To make cash payments to families in distressed |
7 | circumstances by reason of age, infirmity or other disability |
8 | suffered by one of the family members in the course of |
9 | participation in the fire service as a volunteer firefighter. |
10 | (7) To acquire and to maintain membership in any |
11 | Statewide association or corporation which extends advice and |
12 | assistance to firefighters' relief associations and to pay to |
13 | a duly elected delegate the reasonable expenses of travel and |
14 | maintenance for attending a meeting of the Statewide |
15 | association or corporation. |
16 | (8) To contribute to or to purchase contracts of |
17 | insurance which will contribute to the cost of rehabilitating |
18 | and retraining volunteer firefighters who, by reason of their |
19 | participation in the fire service, have suffered a major |
20 | impairment of the ability to continue their vocation. |
21 | (9) To pay for medical and surgical bills arising from |
22 | injuries sustained by volunteer firefighters while engaged in |
23 | activities of a fire company to the extent that the bills are |
24 | not covered by insurance provided by the relief association. |
25 | (10) To pay reasonable expenses actually and necessarily |
26 | incurred for attending bona fide firefighters' training |
27 | schools. |
28 | (11) To purchase safeguards for preserving life, health |
29 | and safety of volunteer firefighters to ensure their |
30 | availability to participate in the volunteer fire service. |
|
1 | (12) To secure insurance against legal liability of |
2 | volunteer firefighters for loss and expense from claims |
3 | arising out of performance of official and authorized duties |
4 | while going to, returning from or attending fires or |
5 | performing their duties as special fire police. |
6 | (13) To maintain comprehensive health, physical fitness |
7 | and physical monitoring programs that provide for physical |
8 | fitness activities, nutrition education and instruction and |
9 | health and fitness evaluation and monitoring, provided that |
10 | the programs have been approved by the nearest State-licensed |
11 | health care facility which is authorized to provide that |
12 | service. |
13 | (14) To purchase exercise and fitness equipment for use |
14 | by volunteer firefighters, except that expenditures for |
15 | exercise and fitness equipment shall not exceed $2,000 in any |
16 | two-year period. |
17 | (15) To purchase fire hoses and nozzles. |
18 | (16) To purchase fire prevention materials for public |
19 | distribution. |
20 | § 7417. Cooperation agreements. |
21 | Two or more volunteer firefighters' relief associations may |
22 | jointly cooperate to enter into agreements to make expenditures |
23 | that are authorized under this subchapter. A joint cooperation |
24 | agreement may be enforced by and against a volunteer |
25 | firefighters' relief association. |
26 | § 7418. Audits. |
27 | (a) General rule.--The Office of Auditor General shall have |
28 | the power, and its duty shall be, to audit the accounts and |
29 | records of every volunteer firefighters' relief association |
30 | receiving money under Chapter 7 of the act of December 18, 1984 |
|
1 | (P.L.1005, No.205), known as the Municipal Pension Plan Funding |
2 | Standard and Recovery Act, as far as may be necessary to satisfy |
3 | the Auditor General that the money received was or is being |
4 | expended for no purpose other than that authorized by this |
5 | subchapter. Copies of all audits shall be furnished to the |
6 | Governor. |
7 | (b) Findings.--If the Auditor General finds that any money |
8 | received by a volunteer firefighters' relief association has |
9 | been expended for a purpose other than one authorized by this |
10 | subchapter, the Auditor General shall immediately notify the |
11 | Governor and shall decline to approve further requisitions |
12 | calling for payment to the volunteer firefighters' relief |
13 | association until the improperly expended amount has been |
14 | reimbursed to the relief association fund. |
15 | § 7419. Dissolution. |
16 | (a) Withdrawal.--If the voters elect to replace a volunteer |
17 | fire company with a full-paid fire department or company and the |
18 | volunteer company which has been replaced ceases to render fire |
19 | service to any community, the volunteer company shall withdraw |
20 | from the volunteer firefighters' relief association which had |
21 | extended protection to its membership. |
22 | (b) Continuation.--Notwithstanding withdrawal of a company |
23 | under subsection (a), the volunteer firefighters' relief |
24 | association shall continue granting financial assistance to its |
25 | remaining members and their families in death, sickness and |
26 | distress suffered through the unfortunate elements of life. |
27 | (c) New members prohibited.--A volunteer firefighters' |
28 | relief association continuing under subsection (b) shall not |
29 | receive any new members. |
30 | (d) Application.--When the membership of a relief |
|
1 | association functioning under subsection (b) diminishes to five |
2 | members, the association shall apply to the local common pleas |
3 | court for dissolution. |
4 | (e) Determination.--Upon receipt of an application under |
5 | subsection (d), the court shall direct that: |
6 | (1) all bills, including the costs of dissolution, be |
7 | paid; and |
8 | (2) the balance of funds in the treasury of the |
9 | volunteer firefighters' relief association subject to |
10 | dissolution be paid to the pension fund of the paid fire |
11 | department created as set forth in subsection (a). |
12 | SUBCHAPTER C |
13 | EMPLOYMENT SANCTIONS |
14 | Sec. |
15 | 7421. Scope of subchapter. |
16 | 7422. Definitions. |
17 | 7423. Prohibition on termination and discipline. |
18 | 7424. Prohibition on discrimination. |
19 | 7425. Lost time. |
20 | 7426. Statements. |
21 | 7427. Violations. |
22 | § 7421. Scope of subchapter. |
23 | This subchapter relates to employment sanctions. |
24 | § 7422. Definitions. |
25 | The following words and phrases when used in this subchapter |
26 | shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the |
27 | context clearly indicates otherwise: |
28 | "Discipline." The taking of an action against an employee |
29 | which adversely affects his regular pay to an extent greater |
30 | than permitted by section 7425 (relating to lost time), his job |
|
1 | status, his opportunity for promotion or his right to any |
2 | benefit granted by the employer to other similarly situated |
3 | employees. |
4 | "Discriminate." To discharge or to discipline in a manner |
5 | inconsistent with the employer's treatment of other similarly |
6 | situated employees who are injured in the course of their |
7 | employment or related activities. |
8 | "Employer." An individual, partnership, association, |
9 | corporation, business trust or a person or group of persons |
10 | acting directly or indirectly in the interest of an employer in |
11 | relation to any employee. |
12 | "Line of duty." Going to, coming from or during fire |
13 | prevention and safety activities which includes fire prevention, |
14 | first aid, rescue and salvage, ambulance service, fire police |
15 | work, assistance at accidents, control of crowds both on the |
16 | fire grounds and at occasions of public or general assembly, |
17 | animal rescue, abatement of conditions due to storm, flood or |
18 | general peril, abatement or removal of hazards to safety and |
19 | other activities as are commonly undertaken by fire companies, |
20 | ambulance services or rescue squads or their affiliated |
21 | organizations. |
22 | § 7423. Prohibition on termination and discipline. |
23 | No employer shall terminate or discipline an employee who is |
24 | a volunteer fireman, a volunteer member of the fire police or a |
25 | volunteer member of an ambulance service or rescue squad and, in |
26 | the line of duty, has responded to a call prior to the time he |
27 | was due to report for work resulting in a loss of time from his |
28 | employment. |
29 | § 7424. Prohibition on discrimination. |
30 | No employer shall discriminate against an employee because |
|
1 | the employee has been injured in the line of duty as a volunteer |
2 | fireman, a volunteer member of the fire police or a volunteer |
3 | member of an ambulance service or rescue squad, nor shall an |
4 | employer discriminate against an employee injured in the line of |
5 | duty as a volunteer fireman, a volunteer member of the fire |
6 | police or a volunteer member of an ambulance service or rescue |
7 | squad who subsequently returns to work after receiving workers' |
8 | compensation benefits under the act of June 2, 1915 (P.L.736, |
9 | No.338), known as the Workers' Compensation Act. |
10 | § 7425. Lost time. |
11 | Time lost from employment as provided in section 7423 |
12 | (relating to prohibition on termination and discipline) may be |
13 | charged to the regular pay of the employee. |
14 | § 7426. Statements. |
15 | An employee losing time as provided in section 7423 (relating |
16 | to prohibition on termination and discipline) shall supply his |
17 | employer with a statement from the chief executive officer of |
18 | his volunteer fire company, ambulance service or rescue squad or |
19 | its affiliated organization stating that he responded to a call |
20 | and the time of the call. |
21 | § 7427. Violations. |
22 | (a) Employers.--An employer who willfully and knowingly |
23 | violates this subchapter shall be required to revoke a |
24 | disciplinary action and any penalty attached thereto, or to |
25 | reinstate such employee to his former position and shall be |
26 | required to pay the employee all lost wages and benefits for the |
27 | period between termination and reinstatement and reasonable |
28 | attorney fees incurred in an action to recover lost wages and |
29 | benefits. |
30 | (b) Statute of limitations.--An action to enforce this |
|
1 | subchapter shall be commenced within two years of the date of |
2 | violation, and the action shall be commenced in the court of |
3 | common pleas of the county in which the employer is located. |
4 | SUBCHAPTER D |
5 | SPECIAL FIRE POLICE |
6 | Sec. |
7 | 7431. Scope of subchapter. |
8 | 7432. Definitions (Reserved). |
9 | 7433. Nomination. |
10 | 7434. Confirmation. |
11 | 7435. Powers. |
12 | 7436. Power and authority in places other than where appointed. |
13 | 7437. Badge of authority and subordination. |
14 | § 7431. Scope of subchapter. |
15 | This subchapter applies to a volunteer fire company in any |
16 | city, borough, town, township or home rule municipality. |
17 | § 7432. Definitions (Reserved). |
18 | § 7433. Nomination. |
19 | An entity under section 7431 (relating to scope of |
20 | subchapter) may nominate any of its members as special fire |
21 | police. |
22 | § 7434. Confirmation. |
23 | Special fire police nominated under this subchapter shall, |
24 | before they enter upon their duties, be confirmed by the mayor |
25 | of the city, the mayor of the borough or town, the chairman of |
26 | the board of commissioners or supervisors of the township or the |
27 | chief executive officer of a home rule municipality, as the case |
28 | may be. |
29 | § 7435. Powers. |
30 | (a) Specific powers.--When confirmed and sworn and |
|
1 | displaying a badge of authority, special fire police shall have |
2 | full power to regulate traffic and keep crowds under control at |
3 | or in the vicinity of any fire on which their companies are in |
4 | attendance and to exercise other police powers necessary to |
5 | facilitate and prevent interference with the work of firemen in |
6 | extinguishing fires. They shall also have the police powers |
7 | necessary to perform their duties when functioning as special |
8 | fire police at any function, event or parade conducted by, and |
9 | under the auspices of, a volunteer fire company, or another |
10 | event, function or parade conducted by an organization other |
11 | than a volunteer fire company, provided that the request to |
12 | perform these duties is made by the governing body of the city, |
13 | borough, town, township or home rule municipality in which the |
14 | event will be conducted, or when accidents, floods or any other |
15 | emergencies require performance of traffic-control and crowd- |
16 | control duties. The duties may be performed without prior |
17 | request from the governing body until the arrival of proper |
18 | State, city, borough, town, township or home rule municipality |
19 | police authority and thereafter subject to direction of the |
20 | police authority until the emergency no longer exists. A person |
21 | functioning as special fire police and performing a duty under |
22 | any of the conditions in this subsection shall be deemed to be |
23 | performing the duties of his employment. |
24 | (b) Identification.--Fire police performing the duties under |
25 | this subchapter shall be identifiable by, at minimum, the |
26 | wearing of a distinctive arm band, hat, uniform or insignia. |
27 | (c) Construction.--Under no circumstances shall this |
28 | subchapter be construed to grant special fire police the right |
29 | to use firearms or other weapons in the exercise of special fire |
30 | police powers granted by this subchapter. |
|
1 | § 7436. Power and authority in places other than where |
2 | appointed. |
3 | Whenever a volunteer fire company is in attendance on a fire |
4 | or when the special fire police are on special duty as provided |
5 | under this subchapter, the special fire police in a city, |
6 | borough, town or township, other than the one in which the fire |
7 | company is organized, shall have the same power and authority in |
8 | another city, borough, town or township as they would have where |
9 | they were appointed. |
10 | § 7437. Badge of authority and subordination. |
11 | All special fire police when on duty shall display a badge of |
12 | authority and shall be subject to the control of the chief of |
13 | police, if any, of the city, borough, town or township in which |
14 | they are serving, or, if none, of a member of the Pennsylvania |
15 | State Police. |
16 | Section 5. Title 35 is amended by adding sections to read: |
17 | § 7708. Fire force disbanded in favor of volunteers. |
18 | (a) General rule.--No county, city, borough, town or |
19 | township which has paid employes on its fire force, including, |
20 | but not limited to, fire apparatus operators, except by |
21 | referendum, shall disband such fire force in favor of having |
22 | such services performed by volunteers. |
23 | (b) Question.--The following shall apply: |
24 | (1) Whenever authorized by ordinance of the governing |
25 | body or upon petition of the registered voters of any |
26 | municipality to the county board of electors of the county |
27 | wherein the municipality is located, an election shall be |
28 | held in the municipality upon the following question: |
29 | Shall the (county, city, borough, town or township) |
30 | disband the paid fire force in favor of having fire |
|
1 | protection services performed by volunteers? |
2 | The petition calling for such election shall be in the form |
3 | required by this section and shall be signed by electors of |
4 | the municipality comprising 20% of the number of electors |
5 | registered to vote in the municipality. Within five days |
6 | after the final enactment of an ordinance authorizing such |
7 | election, the municipal clerk or secretary shall file a |
8 | certified copy of the ordinance with the county board of |
9 | elections, together with a copy of the question to be |
10 | submitted to the electors. At the next municipal or general |
11 | or primary election occurring not less than the 13th Tuesday |
12 | after the filing of the ordinance or the petition with the |
13 | county election board, it shall cause the question in |
14 | paragraph (1) to be submitted to the electors of the |
15 | municipality as other questions are submitted under the |
16 | provisions of the act of June 3, 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), |
17 | known as the Pennsylvania Election Code. |
18 | (2) A referendum petition under this section shall be |
19 | filed not later than the 13th Tuesday prior to the election, |
20 | and the petition and the proceedings therein shall be in the |
21 | manner and subject to the provisions of the election laws |
22 | which relate to the signing, filing and adjudication of |
23 | nomination petitions insofar as such provisions are |
24 | applicable, except that no petition shall be signed or |
25 | circulated prior to the 20th Tuesday before the election nor |
26 | later than the 13th Tuesday before the election. |
27 | (3) A city of the third class may conduct a referendum |
28 | under this section or, at the option of city council, under |
29 | Article X of the act of June 23, 1931 (P.L.932, No.317), |
30 | known as The Third Class City Code. |
|
1 | § 7709. Fires on State premises. |
2 | (a) General rule.--When requested by a State officer or a |
3 | deputy serving as custodian of the premises, a volunteer fire, |
4 | ambulance and rescue company or any member thereof is authorized |
5 | to enter Commonwealth-owned premises for the purpose of fighting |
6 | a fire. |
7 | (b) Free assistance.--The Attorney General shall provide |
8 | free legal assistance to any volunteer fire, ambulance and |
9 | rescue company or member thereof who has entered State lands and |
10 | premises for the purpose of fighting a fire when such ambulance |
11 | or rescue company or member thereof is joined as a defendant in |
12 | any civil action arising out of the performance of his or its |
13 | duty under this section in fighting a fire after entering State |
14 | premises on proper request. |
15 | § 7710. Firefighters and Auxiliaries Day. |
16 | (a) General rule.--In recognition of the invaluable services |
17 | performed by more than 500,000 firefighters and the similar |
18 | contributions made by their auxiliaries, the Sunday of the week |
19 | designated by the Governor as Fire Prevention Week shall be |
20 | Firefighters and their Auxiliaries Day. It is set aside to |
21 | commemorate the tireless efforts of those dedicated men and |
22 | women who brave incredible dangers so that all the citizenry can |
23 | lead fruitful lives without fear of the devastating consequences |
24 | of fire. |
25 | (b) Proclamation.--The Governor shall issue a proclamation |
26 | each year calling upon all Pennsylvanians to commemorate the too |
27 | often unheralded gallantry and personal sacrifices of |
28 | firefighters and their auxiliaries and to observe that day with |
29 | appropriate honors, ceremonies and prayers. |
30 | § 7711. Firefighters' Memorial Flag. |
|
1 | (a) Establishment.--There is established a Firefighters' |
2 | Memorial Flag for this Commonwealth. |
3 | (b) Description.--The flag established in subsection (a) |
4 | shall be a field of blue with a gold keystone in the center |
5 | which surrounds a Maltese cross, and, at the bottom of the blue |
6 | field, in gold capital letters, there is shown the phrase, "Lest |
7 | We Forget." |
8 | (c) Use of flag.--The Firefighters' Memorial Flag may be |
9 | displayed over firefighters' memorials, during firefighter |
10 | funeral processions and from the poles of any public ground or |
11 | political subdivision for a period of not more than seven days |
12 | after the death of a firefighter, and as further directed by the |
13 | Pennsylvania State Fire Commissioner. |
14 | (d) Agency responsibility.--The Pennsylvania Emergency |
15 | Management Agency, through the Office of the Pennsylvania State |
16 | Fire Commissioner, shall maintain the official flag and have the |
17 | responsibility to implement the provisions of this act and |
18 | oversee the production, acquisition and distribution of the |
19 | flag. |
20 | (e) Limitation.--Authorized utilization of the Firefighters' |
21 | Memorial Flag by the Commonwealth or an entity thereof shall not |
22 | constitute a presumption of eligibility nor be permissible as |
23 | substantiating evidence for claims filed under the act of June |
24 | 24, 1976 (P.L.424, No.101), referred to as the Emergency and Law |
25 | Enforcement Personnel Death Benefits Act. |
26 | (f) Appropriation.--The moneys necessary for the production, |
27 | acquisition and distribution of the Firefighters' Memorial Flag |
28 | in the first year shall be paid from period appropriations from |
29 | the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency's budget as funds |
30 | are required to support memorializing firefighters in this |
|
1 | Commonwealth. Such funds are to be allocated to a segregated |
2 | account maintained by the State Fire Commissioner. |
3 | § 7712. Firefighters' Memorial Sunday. |
4 | The Sunday that marks the beginning of Fire Prevention Week |
5 | of every year shall be designated "Firefighters' Memorial |
6 | Sunday" to honor paid and volunteer firemen who have died during |
7 | the previous year, either in the line of duty or of natural |
8 | causes. If Fire Prevention Week begins on a day other than |
9 | Sunday, the Sunday that falls within Fire Prevention Week shall |
10 | be designated Firefighters' Memorial Sunday. |
11 | § 7713. Prohibition on certain service. |
12 | A person convicted of violating 18 Pa.C.S. § 3301 (relating |
13 | to arson and related offenses) or any similar offense under |
14 | Federal or State law shall be prohibited from serving as a |
15 | firefighter in this Commonwealth and shall be prohibited from |
16 | being certified as a firefighter under Subchapter F of Chapter |
17 | 73 (relating to State Fire Commissioner). Proof of nonconviction |
18 | must consist of either of the following: |
19 | (1) An official criminal history record check obtained |
20 | under 18 Pa.C.S. Ch. 91 (relating to criminal history record |
21 | information) indicating no arson convictions. |
22 | (2) A dated and signed statement by the person swearing |
23 | to the following: |
24 | I have never been convicted of an offense that |
25 | constitutes the crime of "arson and related offenses" under |
26 | 18 Pa.C.S. § 3301 or any similar offense under any Federal or |
27 | State law. I hereby certify that the statements contained |
28 | herein are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and |
29 | belief. I understand that if I knowingly make any false |
30 | statement herein, I am subject to penalties prescribed by |
|
1 | law, including, but not limited to, a fine of at least |
2 | $1,000. |
3 | Section 6. Title 35 is amended by adding a chapter to read: |
4 | CHAPTER 78 |
5 | GRANTS TO VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANIES AND VOLUNTEER SERVICES |
6 | Subchapter |
7 | A. Preliminary Provisions |
8 | B. Volunteer Fire Company Grant Program |
9 | C. Volunteer Ambulance Service Grant Program |
10 | D. Grant Funding Provisions |
11 | E. Miscellaneous Provisions |
12 | SUBCHAPTER A |
13 | PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS |
14 | Sec. |
15 | 7801. Scope of chapter. |
16 | 7802. Definitions. |
17 | § 7801. Scope of chapter. |
18 | This chapter relates to grants to volunteer fire companies |
19 | and volunteer ambulance services. |
20 | § 7802. Definitions. |
21 | The following words and phrases when used in this chapter |
22 | shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the |
23 | context clearly indicates otherwise: |
24 | "Advanced life support services." The term shall have the |
25 | meaning given to it in Chapter 81 (relating to emergency medical |
26 | services system). |
27 | "Agency." The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency. |
28 | "Basic life support services." The term shall have the |
29 | meaning given to it in Chapter 81 (relating to emergency medical |
30 | services system). |
|
1 | "Commissioner." The State Fire Commissioner. |
2 | "Facility." A structure or portion thereof intended for the |
3 | purpose of storage or protection of firefighting apparatus, |
4 | ambulances and rescue vehicles and related equipment and gear. |
5 | The term does not include meeting halls, social halls, social |
6 | rooms, lounges or any other facility not directly related to |
7 | firefighting or the furnishing of ambulance or rescue services. |
8 | "Grant program." The Volunteer Fire Company Grant Program |
9 | established in Subchapter B (relating to volunteer fire company |
10 | grant program) or the Volunteer Ambulance Service Grant Program |
11 | established in Subchapter C (relating to volunteer ambulance |
12 | service grant program). |
13 | "Invalid coach." The term shall have the meaning given to it |
14 | in Chapter 81 (relating to emergency medical services system). |
15 | "Volunteer ambulance service." Any nonprofit chartered |
16 | corporation, association or organization located in this |
17 | Commonwealth, which is licensed by the Department of Health and |
18 | is not associated or affiliated with any hospital and which is |
19 | regularly engaged in the provision of emergency medical |
20 | services, including basic life support or advanced life support |
21 | services and advanced life support squads as defined in 28 Pa. |
22 | Code § 1005.1 (relating to general provisions). The term shall |
23 | not include any corporation, association or organization that is |
24 | primarily engaged in the operation of invalid coaches which are |
25 | intended for the routine transport of persons who are |
26 | convalescent or otherwise nonambulatory and do not ordinarily |
27 | require emergency medical treatment while in transit. |
28 | "Volunteer fire company." A nonprofit chartered corporation, |
29 | association or organization located in this Commonwealth which |
30 | provides fire protection or rescue services and which may offer |
|
1 | other voluntary emergency services within this Commonwealth. |
2 | Voluntary emergency services provided by a volunteer fire |
3 | company may include voluntary ambulance and voluntary rescue |
4 | services. |
5 | "Volunteer rescue company." A nonprofit chartered |
6 | corporation, association or organization located in this |
7 | Commonwealth that provides rescue services as part of the |
8 | response to fires or vehicle accidents within this Commonwealth. |
9 | SUBCHAPTER B |
10 | VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY GRANT PROGRAM |
11 | Sec. |
12 | 7811. Establishment. |
13 | 7812. Publication and notice. |
14 | 7813. Award of grants. |
15 | 7814. Consolidation incentive. |
16 | § 7811. Establishment. |
17 | The Volunteer Fire Company Grant Program is established and |
18 | shall be administered by the agency in consultation with the |
19 | commissioner. Grants provided under this program shall be used |
20 | to improve and enhance the capabilities of the volunteer fire |
21 | company to provide firefighting, ambulance and rescue services. |
22 | § 7812. Publication and notice. |
23 | The agency shall publish notice of the grant program |
24 | availability through the Legislative Reference Bureau for |
25 | publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin: |
26 | (1) within 30 days of June 28, 2007, for the fiscal |
27 | years beginning July 1, 2006, and July 1, 2007; and |
28 | (2) by August 8 for fiscal years beginning after June |
29 | 30, 2008. |
30 | § 7813. Award of grants. |
|
1 | (a) Authorization.--The agency is authorized to make a grant |
2 | award to each eligible volunteer fire company for the following: |
3 | (1) Construction and renovation of the fire company's |
4 | facility and purchase or repair of fixtures and furnishings |
5 | necessary to maintain or improve the capability of the |
6 | company to provide fire, ambulance and rescue services. |
7 | (2) Repair of firefighting, ambulance or rescue |
8 | equipment or purchase thereof. |
9 | (3) Debt reduction associated with paragraph (1) or (2). |
10 | (4) Training and certification of members. |
11 | (b) Limits.-- |
12 | (1) Except as provided in paragraph (3), grants shall be |
13 | not less than $2,500 and not more than $15,000 per volunteer |
14 | fire company. |
15 | (2) Grants may be awarded on a pro rata basis if the |
16 | total dollar amount of the approved application exceeds the |
17 | amount of funds appropriated by the General Assembly for this |
18 | purpose. |
19 | (3) In a municipality where there are two or more |
20 | volunteer fire companies and if two or more fire companies |
21 | consolidated their use of equipment, firefighters and |
22 | services within five years preceding the date of the current |
23 | year application submission deadline, the consolidated entity |
24 | shall be deemed eligible to receive a grant not to exceed the |
25 | amount of the combined total for which the individual |
26 | companies would have been eligible had they not consolidated. |
27 | (c) Time for filing application and department action.-- |
28 | (1) Within 30 days of June 28, 2007, for the fiscal |
29 | years beginning July 1, 2006, and July 1, 2007, and by |
30 | September 1 of each year thereafter, the agency shall provide |
|
1 | written instructions for grants under this chapter to the |
2 | fire chief and president of every volunteer fire company in |
3 | this Commonwealth. |
4 | (2) Within 45 days of June 28, 2007, for the fiscal |
5 | years beginning July 1, 2006, and July 1, 2007, and by |
6 | September 8 of each year thereafter, the agency shall provide |
7 | applications to the fire chief and president of every |
8 | volunteer fire company. The application for the fiscal years |
9 | commencing July 1, 2006, and July 1, 2007, shall be a |
10 | combined application. Volunteer fire companies seeking grants |
11 | under this chapter shall submit completed applications to the |
12 | agency. The application period shall remain open for 45 days |
13 | each year. The agency shall act to approve or disapprove |
14 | applications within 60 days of the application submission |
15 | deadline each year. Applications which have not been approved |
16 | or disapproved by the agency within 60 days after the close |
17 | of the application period each year shall be deemed approved. |
18 | (d) Eligibility.--To receive grant funds under this chapter, |
19 | a volunteer fire company shall have actively responded to one or |
20 | more fire or rescue emergencies during the previous calendar |
21 | year and must have signed and be under an agreement to actively |
22 | participate in the Pennsylvania Fire Information Reporting |
23 | System which is administered by the agency. |
24 | § 7814. Consolidation incentive. |
25 | If, after July 31, 2003, two or more volunteer fire companies |
26 | consolidate their use of facilities, equipment, firefighters and |
27 | services, the consolidated entity may, upon notification of the |
28 | agency, be eligible for a reduction of the interest rate payable |
29 | on any outstanding principal balance owed, as of the date of |
30 | consolidation, by any or all of the consolidating companies to |
|
1 | the Volunteer Companies Loan Fund for loans made under the act |
2 | of July 15, 1976 (P.L.1036, No.208), known as the Volunteer Fire |
3 | Company, Ambulance Service and Rescue Squad Assistance Act, or |
4 | under Subchapter E of Chapter 73 (relating to volunteer fire |
5 | company, ambulance service and rescue squad assistance). The |
6 | reduction in the interest rate payable shall be from 2% to 1%. |
7 | Upon receipt of such notification, the agency, in conjunction |
8 | with the State Fire Commissioner, shall determine and verify |
9 | that the consolidated entity is in fact a bona fide consolidated |
10 | volunteer fire company. If the agency determines that the |
11 | consolidated entity is a bona fide consolidated volunteer fire |
12 | company, it shall reduce the interest rate payable on any |
13 | outstanding principal balance owed to the Volunteer Companies |
14 | Loan Fund for loans made under the former Volunteer Fire |
15 | Company, Ambulance Service and Rescue Squad Assistance Act, or |
16 | under Subchapter E of Chapter 73, for which the consolidating |
17 | companies or the consolidated entity may be individually or |
18 | jointly responsible. The agency may promulgate such rules and |
19 | regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of |
20 | this section. |
21 | Subchapter C |
22 | VOLUNTEER AMBULANCE SERVICE GRANT PROGRAM |
23 | Sec. |
24 | 7821. Establishment. |
25 | 7822. Publication and notice. |
26 | 7823. Award of grants. |
27 | § 7821. Establishment. |
28 | The Volunteer Ambulance Service Grant Program is established |
29 | and shall be administered by the agency. Grants provided under |
30 | this program shall be used to improve and enhance the |
|
1 | capabilities of the volunteer ambulance services to provide |
2 | ambulance, emergency medical, basic life support and advanced |
3 | life support services. |
4 | § 7822. Publication and notice. |
5 | The agency shall publish notice of the grant program |
6 | availability through the Legislative Reference Bureau for |
7 | publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin: |
8 | (1) within 30 days of June 28, 2007, for the fiscal |
9 | years beginning July 1, 2006, and July 1, 2007; and |
10 | (2) by August 8 for fiscal years beginning after June |
11 | 30, 2008. |
12 | § 7823. Award of grants. |
13 | (a) Authorization.--The agency is authorized to make a grant |
14 | award to each eligible volunteer ambulance service for the |
15 | following: |
16 | (1) Construction and renovation of the volunteer |
17 | ambulance service's facility and purchase or repair of |
18 | fixtures, furnishings, office equipment and support services |
19 | necessary to maintain or improve the capability of the |
20 | ambulance service to provide ambulance, emergency medical, |
21 | basic life support and advanced life support services. |
22 | (2) Repair of ambulance equipment or purchase thereof. |
23 | (3) Debt reduction associated with paragraph (1) or (2). |
24 | (4) Training and certification of members. |
25 | (b) Limits.-- |
26 | (1) Grants shall be not less than $2,500 and not more |
27 | than $10,000 per volunteer ambulance service. |
28 | (2) Grants may be awarded on a pro rata basis if the |
29 | total dollar amount of the approved application exceeds the |
30 | amount of funds appropriated by the General Assembly for this |
|
1 | purpose. |
2 | (3) If two or more volunteer ambulance services |
3 | consolidated their use of equipment, personnel and services |
4 | within five years preceding the date of the current year |
5 | application submission deadline, the consolidated entity |
6 | shall be deemed eligible to receive a grant not to exceed the |
7 | amount of the combined total for which the individual |
8 | companies would have been eligible had they not consolidated. |
9 | (c) Time for filing application and department action.-- |
10 | (1) Within 30 days of June 28, 2007, for the fiscal |
11 | years commencing July 1, 2006, and July 1, 2007, and by |
12 | September 1 of each year thereafter, the agency shall provide |
13 | written instructions for grants under this chapter to the |
14 | president of every volunteer ambulance service in this |
15 | Commonwealth. |
16 | (2) Within 45 days of the effective date of June 28, |
17 | 2007, for the fiscal years commencing July 1, 2006, and July |
18 | 1, 2007, and by September 8 of each year, the agency shall |
19 | provide applications to the president of every volunteer |
20 | ambulance service. The application for the fiscal years |
21 | commencing July 1, 2006, and July 1, 2007, shall be a |
22 | combined application. Volunteer ambulance services seeking |
23 | grants under this chapter shall submit completed applications |
24 | to the agency. The application period shall remain open for |
25 | 45 days each year. The agency shall act to approve or |
26 | disapprove applications within 60 days of the application |
27 | submission deadline each year. Applications which have not |
28 | been approved or disapproved by the agency within 60 days |
29 | after the close of the application period each year shall be |
30 | deemed approved. |
|
1 | SUBCHAPTER D |
2 | GRANT FUNDING PROVISIONS |
3 | Sec. |
4 | 7831. Volunteer Fire Company Grant Program. |
5 | 7832. Volunteer Ambulance Service Grant Program. |
6 | 7833. Allocation of appropriated funds. |
7 | § 7831. Volunteer Fire Company Grant Program. |
8 | The sum of $22,000,000 of the amount appropriated to the |
9 | agency for volunteer company grants under section 225 of the act |
10 | of March 20, 2003 (P.L.463, No.1A), known as the General |
11 | Appropriation Act of 2003, shall be expended for the purpose of |
12 | making grants to eligible volunteer fire companies under |
13 | Subchapter B (relating to volunteer fire company grant program). |
14 | § 7832. Volunteer Ambulance Service Grant Program. |
15 | The sum of $3,000,000 of the amount appropriated to the |
16 | agency for volunteer company grants under section 225 of the act |
17 | of March 20, 2003 (P.L.463, No.1A), known as the General |
18 | Appropriation Act of 2003, shall be expended for the purpose of |
19 | making grants to eligible volunteer ambulance companies under |
20 | Subchapter C (relating to volunteer ambulance service grant |
21 | program). |
22 | § 7833. Allocation of appropriated funds. |
23 | (a) Prohibition.--No money from the appropriation for |
24 | volunteer company grants shall be used for expenses or costs |
25 | incurred by the agency for the administration of the grant |
26 | programs authorized under Subchapters B (relating to volunteer |
27 | fire company grant program) and C (relating to volunteer |
28 | ambulance service grant program). |
29 | (b) Grant allocation.--Unless otherwise expressly stated, |
30 | money appropriated to the agency for purposes of volunteer |
|
1 | company grants shall be allocated as follows: |
2 | (1) Eighty-eight percent of the amount appropriated |
3 | shall be used for making grants to eligible volunteer fire |
4 | companies under Subchapter B. |
5 | (2) Twelve percent of the amount appropriated shall be |
6 | used for making grants to eligible volunteer ambulance |
7 | companies under Subchapter C. |
8 | SUBCHAPTER E |
9 | MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS |
10 | Sec. |
11 | 7841. Expiration of authority. |
12 | 7842. Special provisions. |
13 | § 7841. Expiration of authority. |
14 | The authority of the agency to award grants under Subchapters |
15 | B (relating to volunteer fire company grant program) and C |
16 | (relating to volunteer ambulance service grant program) shall |
17 | expire June 30, 2012. |
18 | § 7842. Special provisions. |
19 | (a) Claim.--An applicant for a grant under this chapter who |
20 | failed to return a signed agreement for the preceding year shall |
21 | not be permitted to apply for a grant in the current year unless |
22 | the applicant has provided the commissioner with a reasonable |
23 | written explanation as to why it did not claim its grant. |
24 | (b) Delinquency.--An applicant for a grant under this |
25 | chapter who is delinquent in loan payments to the Pennsylvania |
26 | Volunteer Loan Assistance Program established under the act of |
27 | July 15, 1976 (P.L.1036, No.208), known as the Volunteer Fire |
28 | Company, Ambulance Service and Rescue Squad Assistance Act, |
29 | shall agree to use its grant funds to pay any arrears to the |
30 | Commonwealth or it will not be qualified to receive a grant. Any |
|
1 | organization agreeing to this arrangement who fails to make the |
2 | payment to the Commonwealth shall be disqualified from applying |
3 | to the grant program for a period of three years. |
4 | (c) Demonstration.--An applicant for a grant under this |
5 | chapter must demonstrate that it complied with all of the terms |
6 | of its grant agreement in the previous year regarding the use of |
7 | the grant money it received in previous years or it shall not be |
8 | eligible to receive a grant in the current year. |
9 | (d) Approval.--An applicant shall not be approved for a |
10 | grant to be used for purposes other than those stated in section |
11 | 7813(a) (relating to award of grants) or 7823(a) (relating to |
12 | award of grants). |
13 | Section 7. (a) The following acts and parts of acts are |
14 | repealed: |
15 | (1) Act 1925-267. |
16 | (2) Act 1941-74. |
17 | (3) Act 1949-547. |
18 | (4) Act 1955-51. |
19 | (5) The act of June 11, 1968 (P.L.149, No.84), known as |
20 | the Volunteer Firefighters' Relief Association Act. |
21 | (6) Act 1974-264. |
22 | (7) Act 1976-114. |
23 | (8) The act of July 15, 1976 (P.L.1036, No.208), known |
24 | as the Volunteer Fire Company, Ambulance Service and Rescue |
25 | Squad Assistance Act. |
26 | (9) Act 1977-83. |
27 | (10) Act 1982-162. |
28 | (11) Act 1990-168. |
29 | (12) Act 1992-127. |
30 | (13) The act of November 13, 1995 (P.L.604, No.61), |
|
1 | known as the State Fire Commissioner Act. |
2 | (14) The act of July 31, 2003 (P.L.73, No.17), known as |
3 | the Volunteer Fire Company and Volunteer Ambulance Service |
4 | Grant Act. |
5 | (15) 18 Pa.C.S. § 3301(h.1). |
6 | (b) Continuation is as follows: |
7 | (1) The addition of 35 Pa.C.S. § 7403 is a continuation |
8 | of Act 1925-267. The following apply: |
9 | (i) Except as otherwise provided in 35 Pa.C.S. § |
10 | 7403, all activities initiated under Act 1925-267 shall |
11 | continue and remain in full force and effect and may be |
12 | completed under 35 Pa.C.S. § 7403. Orders, regulations, |
13 | rules and decisions which were made under Act 1925-267 |
14 | and which are in effect on the effective date of |
15 | subsection (b)(1) shall remain in full force and effect |
16 | until revoked, vacated or modified under 35 Pa.C.S. § |
17 | 7403. |
18 | (ii) Except as set forth in subparagraph (iii), any |
19 | difference in language between 35 Pa.C.S. § 7403 and Act |
20 | 1925-267 is intended only to conform to the style of the |
21 | Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes and is not intended to |
22 | change or affect the legislative intent, judicial |
23 | construction or administration and implementation of Act |
24 | 1925-267. |
25 | (iii) Subparagraph (ii) does not apply to the |
26 | addition of any of the following provisions of 35 Pa.C.S. |
27 | § 7403: |
28 | (A) (Reserved). |
29 | (B) (Reserved). |
30 | (2) The addition of 35 Pa.C.S. Ch. 74 Subch. D is a |
|
1 | continuation of Act 1941-74. The following apply: |
2 | (i) Except as otherwise provided in 35 Pa.C.S. Ch. |
3 | 74 Subch. D, all activities initiated under Act 1941-74 |
4 | shall continue and remain in full force and effect and |
5 | may be completed under 35 Pa.C.S. Ch. 74 Subch. D. |
6 | Orders, regulations, rules and decisions which were made |
7 | under Act 1941-74 and which are in effect on the |
8 | effective date of subsection (a)(2) shall remain in full |
9 | force and effect until revoked, vacated or modified under |
10 | 35 Pa.C.S. Ch. 74 Subch. D. |
11 | (ii) Except as set forth in subparagraph (iii), any |
12 | difference in language between 35 Pa.C.S. Ch. 74 Subch. D |
13 | and Act 1941-74 is intended only to conform to the style |
14 | of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes and is not |
15 | intended to change or affect the legislative intent, |
16 | judicial construction or administration and |
17 | implementation of Act 1941-74. |
18 | (iii) Subparagraph (ii) does not apply to the |
19 | addition of any of the following provisions of 35 Pa.C.S. |
20 | Ch. 74 Subch. D: |
21 | (A) (Reserved). |
22 | (B) (Reserved). |
23 | (3) The addition of 35 Pa.C.S. Ch. 73 Subch. D is a |
24 | continuation of Act 1949-547. The following apply: |
25 | (i) Except as otherwise provided in 35 Pa.C.S. Ch. |
26 | 73 Subch. D, all activities initiated under Act 1949-547 |
27 | shall continue and remain in full force and effect and |
28 | may be completed under 35 Pa.C.S. Ch. 73 Subch. D. |
29 | Orders, regulations, rules and decisions which were made |
30 | under Act 1949-547 and which are in effect on the |
|
1 | effective date of subsection (a)(3) shall remain in full |
2 | force and effect until revoked, vacated or modified under |
3 | 35 Pa.C.S. Ch. 73 Subch. D. |
4 | (ii) Except as set forth in subparagraph (iii), any |
5 | difference in language between 35 Pa.C.S. Ch. 73 Subch. D |
6 | and Act 1949-547 is intended only to conform to the style |
7 | of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes and is not |
8 | intended to change or affect the legislative intent, |
9 | judicial construction or administration and |
10 | implementation of Act 1949-547. |
11 | (iii) Subparagraph (ii) does not apply to the |
12 | addition of any of the following provisions of 35 Pa.C.S. |
13 | Ch. 73 Subch. D: |
14 | (A) (Reserved). |
15 | (B) (Reserved). |
16 | (4) (Reserved). |
17 | (5) The addition of 35 Pa.C.S. Ch. 74 Subch. B is a |
18 | continuation of the Volunteer Firefighters' Relief |
19 | Association Act. The following apply: |
20 | (i) Except as otherwise provided in 35 Pa.C.S. Ch. |
21 | 74 Subch. B, all activities initiated under the Volunteer |
22 | Firefighters' Relief Association Act shall continue and |
23 | remain in full force and effect and may be completed |
24 | under 35 Pa.C.S. Ch. 74 Subch. B. Orders, regulations, |
25 | rules and decisions which were made under the Volunteer |
26 | Firefighters' Relief Association Act. and which are in |
27 | effect on the effective date of subsection (b)(5) shall |
28 | remain in full force and effect until revoked, vacated or |
29 | modified under 35 Pa.C.S. Ch. 74 Subch. B. |
30 | (ii) Except as set forth in subparagraph (iii), any |
|
1 | difference in language between 35 Pa.C.S. Ch. 74 Subch. B |
2 | and the Volunteer Firefighters' Relief Association Act. |
3 | is intended only to conform to the style of the |
4 | Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes and is not intended to |
5 | change or affect the legislative intent, judicial |
6 | construction or administration and implementation of the |
7 | Volunteer Firefighters' Relief Association Act. |
8 | (iii) Subparagraph (ii) does not apply to the |
9 | addition of any of the following provisions of 35 Pa.C.S. |
10 | Ch. 74 Subch. B: |
11 | (A) (Reserved). |
12 | (B) (Reserved). |
13 | (6) The addition of 35 Pa.C.S. § 7708 is a continuation |
14 | of Act 1974-264. The following apply: |
15 | (i) Except as otherwise provided in 35 Pa.C.S. § |
16 | 7708, all activities initiated under Act 1974-264 shall |
17 | continue and remain in full force and effect and may be |
18 | completed under 35 Pa.C.S. § 7708. Orders, regulations, |
19 | rules and decisions which were made under Act 1974-264 |
20 | and which are in effect on the effective date of |
21 | subsection (a)(6) shall remain in full force and effect |
22 | until revoked, vacated or modified under 35 Pa.C.S. § |
23 | 7708. |
24 | (ii) Except as set forth in subparagraph (iii), any |
25 | difference in language between 35 Pa.C.S. § 7708 and Act |
26 | 1974-264 is intended only to conform to the style of the |
27 | Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes and is not intended to |
28 | change or affect the legislative intent, judicial |
29 | construction or administration and implementation of Act |
30 | 1974-264. |
|
1 | (iii) Subparagraph (ii) does not apply to the |
2 | addition of any of the following provisions of 35 Pa.C.S. |
3 | § 7708: |
4 | (A) (Reserved). |
5 | (B) (Reserved). |
6 | (7) The addition of 35 Pa.C.S. § 7709 is a continuation |
7 | of Act 1976-114. The following apply: |
8 | (i) Except as otherwise provided in 35 Pa.C.S. § |
9 | 7709, all activities initiated under Act 1976-114 shall |
10 | continue and remain in full force and effect and may be |
11 | completed under 35 Pa.C.S. § 7709. Orders, regulations, |
12 | rules and decisions which were made under Act 1976-114 |
13 | and which are in effect on the effective date of |
14 | subsection (a)(7) act shall remain in full force and |
15 | effect until revoked, vacated or modified under 35 |
16 | Pa.C.S. § 7709. |
17 | (ii) Except as set forth in subparagraph (iii), any |
18 | difference in language between 35 Pa.C.S. § 7709 and Act |
19 | 1976-114 is intended only to conform to the style of the |
20 | Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes and is not intended to |
21 | change or affect the legislative intent, judicial |
22 | construction or administration and implementation of Act |
23 | 1976-114. |
24 | (iii) Subparagraph (ii) does not apply to the |
25 | addition of any of the following provisions of 35 Pa.C.S. |
26 | § 7709: |
27 | (A) (Reserved). |
28 | (B) (Reserved). |
29 | (8) The addition of 35 Pa.C.S. Ch. 73 Subch. E is a |
30 | continuation of the Volunteer Fire Company, Ambulance Service |
|
1 | and Rescue Squad Assistance Act. The following apply: |
2 | (i) Except as otherwise provided in 35 Pa.C.S. Ch. |
3 | 73 Subch. E, all activities initiated under the Volunteer |
4 | Fire Company, Ambulance Service and Rescue Squad |
5 | Assistance Act shall continue and remain in full force |
6 | and effect and may be completed under 35 Pa.C.S. Ch. 73 |
7 | Subch. E. Orders, regulations, rules and decisions which |
8 | were made under the Volunteer Fire Company, Ambulance |
9 | Service and Rescue Squad Assistance Act and which are in |
10 | effect on the effective date of subsection (a)(8) shall |
11 | remain in full force and effect until revoked, vacated or |
12 | modified under 35 Pa.C.S. Ch. 73 Subch. E. |
13 | (ii) Except as set forth in subparagraph (iii), any |
14 | difference in language between 35 Pa.C.S. Ch. 73 Subch. E |
15 | and the Volunteer Fire Company, Ambulance Service and |
16 | Rescue Squad Assistance Act is intended only to conform |
17 | to the style of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes |
18 | and is not intended to change or affect the legislative |
19 | intent, judicial construction or administration and |
20 | implementation of the Volunteer Fire Company, Ambulance |
21 | Service and Rescue Squad Assistance Act. |
22 | (iii) Subparagraph (ii) does not apply to the |
23 | addition of any of the following provisions of 35 Pa.C.S. |
24 | Ch. 73 Subch. E: |
25 | (A) (Reserved). |
26 | (B) (Reserved). |
27 | (9) The addition of 35 Pa.C.S. Ch. 74 Subch. C is a |
28 | continuation of Act 1977-83. The following apply: |
29 | (i) Except as otherwise provided in 35 Pa.C.S. Ch. |
30 | 74 Subch. C, all activities initiated under Act 1977-83 |
|
1 | shall continue and remain in full force and effect and |
2 | may be completed under 35 Pa.C.S. Ch. 74 Subch. C. |
3 | Orders, regulations, rules and decisions which were made |
4 | under Act 1977-83 and which are in effect on the |
5 | effective date of subsection (a)(9) shall remain in full |
6 | force and effect until revoked, vacated or modified under |
7 | 35 Pa.C.S. Ch. 74 Subch. C. |
8 | (ii) Except as set forth in subparagraph (iii), any |
9 | difference in language between 35 Pa.C.S. Ch. 74 Subch. C |
10 | and Act 1977-83 is intended only to conform to the style |
11 | of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes and is not |
12 | intended to change or affect the legislative intent, |
13 | judicial construction or administration and |
14 | implementation of Act 1977-83. |
15 | (iii) Subparagraph (ii) does not apply to the |
16 | addition of any of the following provisions of 35 Pa.C.S. |
17 | Ch. 74 Subch. C: |
18 | (A) (Reserved). |
19 | (B) (Reserved). |
20 | (10) The addition of 35 Pa.C.S. § 7710 is a continuation |
21 | of Act 1982-162. The following apply: |
22 | (i) Except as otherwise provided in 35 Pa.C.S. § |
23 | 7710, all activities initiated under Act 1982-162 shall |
24 | continue and remain in full force and effect and may be |
25 | completed under 35 Pa.C.S. § 7710. Orders, regulations, |
26 | rules and decisions which were made under Act 1982-162 |
27 | and which are in effect on the effective date of |
28 | subsection (a)(10) shall remain in full force and effect |
29 | until revoked, vacated or modified under 35 Pa.C.S. § |
30 | 7710. |
|
1 | (ii) Except as set forth in subparagraph (iii), any |
2 | difference in language between 35 Pa.C.S. § 7710 and Act |
3 | 1982-162 is intended only to conform to the style of the |
4 | Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes and is not intended to |
5 | change or affect the legislative intent, judicial |
6 | construction or administration and implementation of Act |
7 | 1982-162. |
8 | (iii) Subparagraph (ii) does not apply to the |
9 | addition of any of the following provisions of 35 Pa.C.S. |
10 | § 7710: |
11 | (A) (Reserved). |
12 | (B) (Reserved). |
13 | (11) The addition of 35 Pa.C.S. § 7711 is a continuation |
14 | of Act 1990-168. The following apply: |
15 | (i) Except as otherwise provided in 35 Pa.C.S. § |
16 | 7711, all activities initiated under act 1990-168 shall |
17 | continue and remain in full force and effect and may be |
18 | completed under 35 Pa.C.S. § 7711. Orders, regulations, |
19 | rules and decisions which were made under Act 1990-168 |
20 | and which are in effect on the effective date of |
21 | subsection (a)(11) shall remain in full force and effect |
22 | until revoked, vacated or modified under 35 Pa.C.S. § |
23 | 7711. |
24 | (ii) Except as set forth in subparagraph (iii), any |
25 | difference in language between 35 Pa.C.S. § 7711 and Act |
26 | 1990-168 is intended only to conform to the style of the |
27 | Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes and is not intended to |
28 | change or affect the legislative intent, judicial |
29 | construction or administration and implementation of Act |
30 | 1990-168. |
|
1 | (iii) Subparagraph (ii) does not apply to the |
2 | addition of any of the following provisions of 35 Pa.C.S. |
3 | § 7711: |
4 | (A) (Reserved). |
5 | (B) (Reserved). |
6 | (12) The addition of 35 Pa.C.S. § 7712 is a continuation |
7 | of Act 1992-127. The following apply: |
8 | (i) Except as otherwise provided in 35 Pa.C.S. § |
9 | 7712, all activities initiated under Act 1992-127 shall |
10 | continue and remain in full force and effect and may be |
11 | completed under 35 Pa.C.S. § 7712. Orders, regulations, |
12 | rules and decisions which were made under Act 1992-127 |
13 | and which are in effect on the effective date of |
14 | subsection (a)(12) shall remain in full force and effect |
15 | until revoked, vacated or modified under 35 Pa.C.S. § |
16 | 7712. |
17 | (ii) Except as set forth in subparagraph (iii), any |
18 | difference in language between 35 Pa.C.S. § 7712 and Act |
19 | 1992-127 is intended only to conform to the style of the |
20 | Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes and is not intended to |
21 | change or affect the legislative intent, judicial |
22 | construction or administration and implementation of Act |
23 | 1992-127. |
24 | (iii) Subparagraph (ii) does not apply to the |
25 | addition of any of the following provisions of 35 Pa.C.S. |
26 | § 7712: |
27 | (A) (Reserved). |
28 | (B) (Reserved). |
29 | (13) The addition of 35 Pa.C.S. Ch. 73 Subch. F is a |
30 | continuation of the State Fire Commissioner Act. The |
|
1 | following apply: |
2 | (i) Except as otherwise provided in 35 Pa.C.S. Ch. |
3 | 73 Subch. F, all activities initiated under the State |
4 | Fire Commissioner Act shall continue and remain in full |
5 | force and effect and may be completed under 35 Pa.C.S. |
6 | Ch. 73 Subch. F. Orders, regulations, rules and decisions |
7 | which were made under the State Fire Commissioner Act and |
8 | which are in effect on the effective date of subsection |
9 | (a)(13)shall remain in full force and effect until |
10 | revoked, vacated or modified under 35 Pa.C.S. Ch. 73 |
11 | Subch. F. |
12 | (ii) Except as set forth in subparagraph (iii), any |
13 | difference in language between 35 Pa.C.S. Ch. 73 Subch. F |
14 | and the State Fire Commissioner Act is intended only to |
15 | conform to the style of the Pennsylvania Consolidated |
16 | Statutes and is not intended to change or affect the |
17 | legislative intent, judicial construction or |
18 | administration and implementation of the State Fire |
19 | Commissioner Act. |
20 | (iii) Subparagraph (ii) does not apply to the |
21 | addition of any of the following provisions of 35 Pa.C.S. |
22 | Ch. 73 Subch. F: |
23 | (A) (Reserved). |
24 | (B) (Reserved). |
25 | (14) The addition of 35 Pa.C.S. Ch. 78 is a continuation |
26 | of the Volunteer Fire Company and Volunteer Ambulance Service |
27 | Grant Act. The following apply: |
28 | (i) Except as otherwise provided in 35 Pa.C.S. Ch. |
29 | 78, all activities initiated under the Volunteer Fire |
30 | Company and Volunteer Ambulance Service Grant Act shall |
|
1 | continue and remain in full force and effect and may be |
2 | completed under 35 Pa.C.S. Ch. 78. Orders, regulations, |
3 | rules and decisions which were made under the Volunteer |
4 | Fire Company and Volunteer Ambulance Service Grant Act |
5 | and which are in effect on the effective date of |
6 | subsection (a)(14) shall remain in full force and effect |
7 | until revoked, vacated or modified under 35 Pa.C.S. Ch. |
8 | 78. |
9 | (ii) Except as set forth in subparagraph (iii), any |
10 | difference in language between 35 Pa.C.S. Ch. 78 and the |
11 | Volunteer Fire Company and Volunteer Ambulance Service |
12 | Grant Act is intended only to conform to the style of the |
13 | Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes and is not intended to |
14 | change or affect the legislative intent, judicial |
15 | construction or administration and implementation of the |
16 | Volunteer Fire Company and Volunteer Ambulance Service |
17 | Grant Act. |
18 | (iii) Subparagraph (ii) does not apply to the |
19 | addition of any of the following provisions of 35 Pa.C.S. |
20 | Ch. 78: |
21 | (A) (Reserved). |
22 | (B) (Reserved). |
23 | (15) The addition of 35 Pa.C.S. § 7713 is a continuation |
24 | of 18 Pa.C.S. § 3301(h.1). The following apply: |
25 | (i) Except as otherwise provided in 35 Pa.C.S. § |
26 | 7713, all activities initiated under 18 Pa.C.S. § |
27 | 3301(h.1) shall continue and remain in full force and |
28 | effect and may be completed under 35 Pa.C.S. § 7713. |
29 | Orders, regulations, rules and decisions which were made |
30 | under 18 Pa.C.S. § 3301(h.1) and which are in effect on |
|
1 | the effective date of subsection (a)(15) shall remain in |
2 | full force and effect until revoked, vacated or modified |
3 | under 35 § 7713. |
4 | (ii) Any difference in language between 35 Pa.C.S. § |
5 | 7713 and 18 Pa.C.S. § 3301(h.1) is intended only to |
6 | effectuate the transfer of material within the |
7 | Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes and is not intended to |
8 | change or affect the legislative intent, judicial |
9 | construction or administration and implementation of 18 |
10 | Pa.C.S. § 3301(h.1). |
11 | (c) As used in this section, the following words and phrases |
12 | shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection unless |
13 | the context clearly indicates otherwise: |
14 | "Act 1925-267." The act of May 2, 1925 (P.L.494, No.267), |
15 | entitled "An act authorizing municipalities to expend money for |
16 | the purpose of insuring volunteer firemen against death or |
17 | injuries while going to or returning from or attending fires." |
18 | "Act 1941-74." The act of June 18, 1941 (P.L.137, No.74), |
19 | entitled "An act providing for the appointment, powers and |
20 | control of members of volunteer fire companies as special fire |
21 | police, and conferring powers on them at fires attended by their |
22 | fire companies in any city, borough, town, township or home rule |
23 | municipality." |
24 | "Act 1949-547." The act of May 26, 1949 (P.L.1844, No.547), |
25 | entitled "An act establishing the Pennsylvania State Firemen's |
26 | Training School in or adjacent to the borough of Lewistown; |
27 | providing for its operation and maintenance by the Department of |
28 | Public Instruction; authorizing the acquisition of a site either |
29 | by gift or purchase by the Commonwealth or by The General State |
30 | Authority, or the use of land now owned by the Commonwealth; |
|
1 | providing for the erection or construction and the furnishing |
2 | and equipping of the buildings and structures by The General |
3 | State Authority, and the leasing thereof by the Commonwealth; |
4 | and conferring powers and imposing duties upon the Department of |
5 | Public Instruction and the Public Service Institute Board." |
6 | "Act 1955-51." The act of June 13, 1955 (P.L.173, No.51), |
7 | entitled "An act relating to volunteer fire companies; |
8 | prohibiting any municipality from replacing a volunteer fire |
9 | company by a paid fire company unless a majority of the electors |
10 | of the municipality voting are in favor of the change; and |
11 | providing for referendum to ascertain the will of the electors." |
12 | "Act 1974-264." The act of December 10, 1974 (P.L.802, |
13 | No.264), entitled, as amended,"An act prohibiting the disbanding |
14 | of a paid fire force in favor of having such services performed |
15 | by volunteers; and providing for the conduct of a referendum." |
16 | "Act 1976-114." The act of June 26, 1976 (P.L.459, No.114), |
17 | "An act authorizing volunteer fire, ambulance and rescue |
18 | companies and members thereof to enter State premises to fight |
19 | fire under certain conditions; and providing for legal advice |
20 | from the Attorney General for such persons in certain cases." |
21 | "Act 1977-83." The act of December 1, 1977 (P.L.249, No.83), |
22 | entitled, as amended, "An act prohibiting employers from firing |
23 | employees who lose time from employment in the line of duty as |
24 | volunteer firemen, fire police and volunteer members of |
25 | ambulance services and rescue squads; and providing penalties." |
26 | "Act 1982-162." The act of June 19, 1982 (P.L.557, No.162), |
27 | entitled "An act providing for the observance of the Sunday of |
28 | Fire Prevention Week as a commemorative day designated as |
29 | Firefighters and their Auxiliaries Day." |
30 | "Act 1990-168." The act of December 7, 1990 (P.L.679, |
|
1 | No.168), entitled "An act providing for a flag for firefighters |
2 | who have died in the line of duty; providing for responsibility |
3 | of the Pennsylvania State Fire Commissioner; and making an |
4 | appropriation from contributions." |
5 | "Act 1992-127." The act of December 4, 1992 (P.L.791, |
6 | No.127), entitled "An act designating the Sunday that marks the |
7 | beginning of Fire Prevention Week as 'Firemen's Memorial |
8 | Sunday.'" |
9 | Section 8. This act shall take effect in 60 days. |
|