FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 18, 2009
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Senators Pileggi, Baker Work to Save Volunteer Emergency Responders from Unnecessary Paperwork 

Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-9) and Senator Lisa Baker (R-20), chair of the Senate’s Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee, announced today that they have introduced legislation to clarify the status of volunteer fire companies and other volunteer emergency responders under Pennsylvania’s new Right-to-Know Law. 

“Volunteer fire companies serve a vital role in communities all across Pennsylvania, but they are not government agencies,” said Senator Pileggi, who authored the Right-to-Know Law. “It was never our intent to have the Right-to-Know Law fully cover volunteer fire companies and other volunteer emergency responders.” 

Senate Bill 851 would state that volunteer fire companies and other volunteer emergency responders are not subject to the Right-to-Know Law, except in cases where there are contracts with government agencies to provide such services.  The measure was introduced as a result of a recent determination which found that volunteer fire companies are local agencies subject to the provisions of the new Right-to-Know Law.   

“Our volunteer responders work to keep our communities safe every day.  We need to do everything we can to support them,” Senator Baker added. “Unnecessary paperwork adds to the challenges they face and makes it harder for them to do their jobs.” 

Contact:

Erik Arneson (Sen. Pileggi)
(717) 787-4712
Jennifer Wilson (Senator Baker)
(717) 787-7428