Posted: | January 9, 2023 10:22 AM |
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From: | Senator Michele Brooks |
To: | All Senate members |
Subject: | Funding for EMS Certification |
I will be reintroducing legislation very similar to Senate Bill 1189 of last session to provide $3 million to establish a program to pay for individuals to earn their initial EMS certification from a Pennsylvania EMS educational institute. Previous cosponsors included Senators Santarsiero, Hutchinson, Gordner, Pittman and Brewster. Pennsylvania is in a state of crisis in regards to the certified EMS shortage, with the ranks of those available to answer emergency calls dwindling to alarming lows. This legislation will cover initial certifications for Emergency Medical Responders (EMR), Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT), Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) and Paramedics (EMT-P). By covering any level of certification, we are attracting new EMRs, EMTs and AEMTs, but also giving current EMRs, EMTs and AEMTs who have been willingly and unselfishly serving and protecting the people in our communities the incentive to become an EMT-P. This legislation will also ensure that the program makes these funds available to all geographic areas of the Commonwealth. Thank you for you consideration of cosponsoring this important piece of legislation. |
Introduced as SB341