HB 2407 — An Act amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in general provisions relating to emergency management services, further providing for definitions; in Commonwealth services, further providing for assistance to fire companies and EMS companies, for State Fire Commissioner and for curriculum, training and education certification management system; in grants to fire companies and emergency medical services companies, further providing for definitions, for publication and notice, for award of grants, for consolidation incentive, for establishment, for publication and notice and for award of grants, repealing provisions relating to COVID-19 Crisis Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program and to COVID-19 Crisis Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program, further providing for allocation of appropriated funds, repealing provisions relating to Emergency Medical Services COVID-19 Recovery Grant Program, to expiration of authority relating to COVID-19 Crisis Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program and to expiration of authority relating to Emergency Medical Services COVID-19 Recovery Grant Program and further providing for special provisions and for annual reports; and making transfers.

The commissioner shall transmit the guidelines to the Legislative Reference Bureau for publication in the next available issue of the Pennsylvania Bulletin.Bulletin, POST THE GUIDELINES ON THE OFFICE OF <-- THE STATE FIRE COMMISSIONER'S PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE INTERNET WEBSITE AND SEND THE GUIDELINES TO ALL FIRE COMPANIES.

20240HB2407PN3428 - 2 - * * * SectionSECTION 3.4.

SectionsSECTION 7801,7383.1(G) 7802OF andTITLE 781235 ofIS TitleAMENDED 35AND areTHE amended<-- toSECTION read:IS AMENDED BY ADDING A SUBSECTION TO READ:

§ 7383.1.

CURRICULUM, TRAINING AND EDUCATION CERTIFICATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.

20240HB2407PN3737 - 6 - * * * (B.1) ENTRY LEVEL TRAINING AND TESTING.--NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW, FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES TRAINING AT THE FIREFIGHTER I LEVEL ESTABLISHED UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING TESTING OPTIONS TO TRAINEES:

(1) A CUMULATIVE TEST TO BE COMPLETED AT THE END OF THE FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES TRAINING PROGRAM;

OR (2) A TEST TO BE COMPLETED FOLLOWING A SUCCESSIVE TRAINING MODULE OF THE PROGRAM, PROVIDED THAT ALL INDIVIDUAL TESTS ARE COMPLETED IN THE SAME NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION ACCREDITATION STANDARD PERIOD.

* * * (G) ANNUAL REPORTS.-- (1) THE COMMISSIONER SHALL PREPARE AN ANNUAL REPORT ON THE TRAINING AND EDUCATION CERTIFICATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.

THE REPORT SHALL INCLUDE ALL OF THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:

(I) THE TOTAL NUMBER OF FIREFIGHTERS IN THE SYSTEM, DELINEATED BETWEEN PAID AND VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER.

(II) THE NUMBER OF FIREFIGHTERS UNDER SUBPARAGRAPH (I) WHO TOOK A COURSE ON THE SYSTEM DURING THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

(III) THE NUMBER OF FIREFIGHTERS UNDER SUBPARAGRAPH (I) WHO ARE CERTIFIED AS FIREFIGHTER [1] I, FIREFIGHTER [2] II, FIRE INSTRUCTOR 1 OR FIRE OFFICER 1.

(IV) A SUMMARY OF COURSES THAT WERE TAKEN BY FIREFIGHTERS UNDER SUBPARAGRAPH (I).

(V) A SUMMARY OF HOW THE FUNDS UNDER THIS SECTION WERE EXPENDED.

(2) THE COMMISSIONER SHALL SUBMIT THE ANNUAL REPORT UNDER PARAGRAPH (1) NO LATER THAN OCTOBER 1, 2023, AND BY 20240HB2407PN3737 - 7 - OCTOBER 1 OF EACH YEAR THEREAFTER, TO ALL OF THE FOLLOWING:

(I) THE CHAIR AND MINORITY CHAIR OF THE VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS COMMITTEE OF THE SENATE.

(II) THE CHAIR AND MINORITY CHAIR OF THE VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS COMMITTEE OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

(3) THE COMMISSIONER SHALL POST THE ANNUAL REPORT UNDER PARAGRAPH (1) ON THE OFFICE OF THE STATE FIRE COMMISSIONER'S PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE INTERNET WEBSITE.

Section 3 5.

Sections 7801, 7802 and 7812 of Title 35 are <-- amended to read:

<-- This chapter relates to grants to fire companies [and], emergency medical services companies, hazardous materials teams and specialty teams.

20240HB2407PN3737 - 8 - (3) Has responded to at least 15 fire or rescue emergency calls annually to neighboring fire companies as provided in documentation requested by the [State Fire Commissioner] commissioner.

20240HB2407PN3428 - 3 - (1) A for-profit chartered emergency medical service corporation, association or organization which meets all of the following:

(2) The term shall not include a corporation, association or organization that is primarily engaged in the operation of invalid coaches which are intended for the routine transport of individuals who are convalescent or nonambulatory and who do not ordinarily require emergency medical treatment while in transit.] "Combined fire company." A volunteer fire company located in this Commonwealth with at least one paid employee in addition to 20240HB2407PN3737 - 9 - a fire chief.

(1) A municipal, for-profit or nonprofit chartered 20240HB2407PN3428 - 4 - emergency medical service corporation, association or organization which meets all of the following:

The term does not include meeting halls, social halls, social 20240HB2407PN3737 - 10 - rooms, lounges or any other facility not directly related to firefighting or the furnishing of ambulance or rescue services.

[The term includes an airport fire company.] "Grant program." The Fire Company Grant Program established in Subchapter B (relating to fire company grant program) [or], <-- the Emergency Medical Services Grant Program established in 20240HB2407PN3428 - 5 - Subchapter C (relating to emergency medical services grant program)[.] or the Hazardous Materials Team and Specialty Team <-- Grant Program established in Subchapter F (relating to Hazardous Materials Team and Specialty Team Grant Program).

"Quick response service" or "QRS." The term shall have the <-- meaning given to it in Chapter 81.

"Specialty team." A nonprofit team engaged in wilderness search and rescue, a nonprofit wildland firefighting team 20240HB2407PN3737 - 11 - recognized by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources or a nonprofit squad that performs any of the following:

20240HB2407PN3428 - 6 - ["Volunteer EMS company." Any nonprofit chartered corporation, association or organization located in this Commonwealth, which is licensed by the Department of Health and is not associated or affiliated with any hospital, unless recognized in accordance with section 7823(b.1) (relating to award of grants), and which is regularly engaged in the provision of emergency medical services, including basic life support or advanced life support services and advanced life support squads as defined in 28 Pa.

(1) A nonprofit chartered corporation, association or 20240HB2407PN3737 - 12 - organization which meets all of the following:

20240HB2407PN3428 - 7 - "Volunteer rescue company." As follows:

Section 4.4 6.

Section 7813(a)(7), (a.1), (a.2), (b)(1), (c)(2),(c) <-- (2), (d) and (e) introductory paragraph and (2)(i) of Title 35 are amended and subsection (a) is amended by adding paragraphs 20240HB2407PN3737 - 13 - to read:

<-- (9) Utility costs.

(10) Cancer screenings and other preventive health 20240HB2407PN3428 - 8 - measures.

(11)(8) MentalPREVENTIVE healthHEALTH awarenessMEASURES, andINCLUDING treatment.CANCER <-- SCREENINGS.

(a.1)(11) Additional(9) usesMental forhealth [paid]awareness municipaland firetreatment. companies.-- In addition to the authorized uses under subsection (a), the commissioner may establish additional authorized uses of grant funds for [paid] municipal fire companies.

<-- (a.1) Additional uses for [paid] municipal fire companies.-- In addition to the authorized uses under subsection (a), the commissioner may establish additional authorized uses of grant funds for [paid] municipal fire companies.

(a.2) Additional grants.--[Each fire company with not more than 20 members who are certified by the National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications or by the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress and are verified by the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy at a minimum level of Firefighter 1 on or before July 1 of the year of the grant application shall be eligible to receive additional grants under a certification bonus point system as administered by the commissioner.] The commissioner, in consultation with the State Fire Advisory Board, may establish a system to award additional 20240HB2407PN3737 - 14 - funds to fire companies.

(1) Number and proportion of members who are certified by the National Board on Fire Service Professional 20240HB2407PN3428 - 9 - Qualifications or by the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress and are verified by the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy at a minimum level of Firefighter 1.1 I.

<-- (2) Population served.

(3) Number of EMSincidents patientlogged carein reports during the priorPennsylvania <--Fire 12Information monthsReporting asSystem requiredduring to be provided to the regionalprior EMS12 councilmonths. that is assigned responsibilities for the region in which the EMS company is licensed.

(3) NUMBER OF INCIDENTS LOGGED IN THE PENNSYLVANIA FIRE <-- INFORMATION REPORTING SYSTEM DURING THE PRIOR 12 MONTHS.

(b) Limits.-- <-- (1) Except as provided in paragraph (3), grants shall be not less than [$2,500] the higher of $10,000 or the amount received in the 2023-2024 grant cycle and not more than [$20,000] $40,000 per fire company.

A fire company may 20240HB2407PN3737 - 15 - voluntarily agree to accept less than the higher of $10,000 or the amount received in the 2023-2024 grant cycle if it is unable to utilize the full amount it is eligible to receive.

* * * (c) Time for filing application and department action.-- * * * 20240HB2407PN3428 - 10 - (2) Fire companies seeking grants under this chapter shall submit completed applications to the commissioner and the municipalities where the fire companies are located.

20240HB2407PN3737 - 16 - (2) Be actively participating in the Pennsylvania Fire Information Reporting System under a signed agreement.

20240HB2407PN3428 - 11 - (3) Have on record with the commissioner up-to-date point of contact information for the fire company or municipality.

20240HB2407PN3737 - 17 - (e) Construction Savings Account.--A fire company may apply for a grant under subsection (a) for the purpose of constructing [a new] or renovating a facility.

The 20240HB2407PN3428 - 12 - Construction Savings Account shall be administered by the commissioner.

* * * Section 5.5 7.

Sections 7814, 7821 and 7822 of Title 35 are <-- amended to read:

Upon 20240HB2407PN3737 - 18 - receipt of such notification, the commissioner shall determine and verify that the consolidated entity is in fact a bona fide consolidated [volunteer] fire company.

If the commissioner determines that the consolidated entity is a bona fide consolidated [volunteer] fire company, the commissioner shall reduce the interest rate payable on any outstanding principal 20240HB2407PN3428 - 13 - balance owed to the Fire and Emergency Medical Services Loan Fund for loans made under the former Volunteer Fire Company, Ambulance Service and Rescue Squad Assistance Act, or under Subchapter E of Chapter 73, for which the consolidating companies or the consolidated entity may be individually or jointly responsible.

Section 6.6 8.

Section 7823(a)(1), (2) and (7), (b)(1) and (c) <-- (2) of Title 35 are amended, subsections (a) and (b) are amended 20240HB2407PN3737 - 19 - by adding paragraphs and the section is amended by adding subsections to read:

(1) Construction and renovation of the EMS company's 20240HB2407PN3428 - 14 - facilities and purchase or repair of fixtures, furnishings, office equipment and support services necessary to maintain or improve the capability of the services to provide ambulance, emergency medical, squad, quick response, basic life support and advanced life support services.

<-- (9) Utility costs.

(11)(8) MentalPREVENTIVE healthHEALTH awarenessMEASURES, andINCLUDING treatment.CANCER <-- SCREENINGS.

(a.1)(11) Additional(9) grants.--TheMental commissioner,health inawareness consultationand withtreatment. the director, may establish a system to award additional funds to EMS companies.

<-- (a.1) Additional grants.--The commissioner, in consultation with the director, may establish a system to award additional funds to EMS companies.

In developing a system, the commissioner shall evaluate the following factors as 20240HB2407PN3737 - 20 - the factors relate to each eligible EMS company on or before July 1 of the year of the grant application:

(3) Number of incidentsEMS loggedpatient incare reports during the Pennsylvaniaprior Fire12 <--months Informationas Reportingrequired Systemto duringbe provided to the priorregional twelveEMS months.council that is assigned responsibilities for the region in which the EMS company is licensed.

20240HB2407PN3428 - 15 - (3) NUMBER OF EMS PATIENT CARE REPORTS DURING THE PRIOR <-- 12 MONTHS AS REQUIRED TO BE PROVIDED TO THE REGIONAL EMS COUNCIL THAT IS ASSIGNED RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE REGION IN WHICH THE EMS COMPANY IS LICENSED.

(b) Limits.-- (1) Grants shall be [not less than $2,500 and not more <-- than $15,000 per EMS company.]:

(ii) Not less than the higher of the amount received in the 2023-2024 grant cycle or $10,000 and not more than $40,000 per EMS company whose highest level of licensure is to operate an ALS ambulance, intermediate ALS 20240HB2407PN3737 - 21 - ambulance or BLS ambulance service.

* * * 20240HB2407PN3428 - 16 - (5) An EMS company may only apply for a grant for up to five years for the purpose under subsection (d).

(d) Construction Savings Account.--An EMS company may apply 20240HB2407PN3737 - 22 - for a grant under subsection (a) for the purpose of constructing a new facility.

The 20240HB2407PN3428 - 17 - following shall apply:

Section 7.7 9.

Subchapter C.1 of Chapter 78 AND SECTION 7832.2 <-- of Title 35 is ARE repealed:

<-- [SUBCHAPTER C.1 COVID-19 CRISIS FIRE COMPANY AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES GRANT PROGRAM Sec.

The COVID-19 Crisis Fire Company and Emergency Medical 20240HB2407PN3737 - 23 - Services Grant Program is established and shall be administered by the agency.

1644 (March 21, 2020), and any renewal of 20240HB2407PN3428 - 18 - the state of disaster emergency.

(4) An EMS company that did not apply for or receive a grant award in fiscal year 2019-2020 under section 7823 and 20240HB2407PN3737 - 24 - that applies for a grant under this subchapter for the purposes under section 7823(a).

20240HB2407PN3428 - 19 - (2) An eligible EMS company under section 7823.

Sections 7831 and 7832 of Title 35 are amended to <-- read:

20240HB2407PN3737 - 25 - (a) Expenditure.--The sum of $3,000,000 of the amount appropriated to the commissioner for EMS company grants under section 1799-E of the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.343, No.176), known as The Fiscal Code, shall be expended for the purpose of making grants to eligible EMS companies under Subchapter C (relating to emergency medical services grant program).

20240HB2407PN3428 - 20 - (b) Transfer.-- (1) In addition to sums transferred under subsection (a) and 3 Pa.C.S.

§[§ 7832.2.

COVID-19 Crisis Fire Company and Emergency Medical <-- Services Grant Program.

The following shall apply to any appropriation from money 20240HB2407PN3737 - 26 - received by the Commonwealth under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (Public Law 116-136, 134 Stat.

(1) The sum of $44,000,000 of the amount appropriated 20240HB2407PN3428 - 21 - shall be expended for the purpose of making grants to eligible fire companies.

<-- § 7832.3.

The sum of $1,200,000 shall be transferred annually from the Property Tax Relief Reserve Fund to the Hazardous MaterialMaterials <-- MATERIALS Team and Specialty Team Grant Program for the purpose <-- of making grants to eligible entities under section 7852 (relating to hazardous materials team and specialty team competitive grants).

Section 11.11 10.

Section 7833 of Title 35 is amended BY ADDING <-- A SUBSECTION to read:

(a) Administration.-- <-- (1) Except as provided under paragraph (2), no money from the appropriation for grants shall be used for expenses or costs incurred by the commissioner for the administration of the grant programs authorized under Subchapters B 20240HB2407PN3737 - 27 - (relating to fire company grant program) [and], C (relating to emergency medical services grant program) and F (relating to Hazardous Materials Team and Specialty Team Grant Program).

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the commissioner may use not more than [$800,000] $1,200,000 of any unencumbered 20240HB2407PN3428 - 22 - funds remaining in the fund for administrative costs for grant program implementation under this chapter.

(2) Twelve percent of the amount appropriated shall be used for making grants to eligible EMS companies under Subchapter C.] * * * <-- (c) Transfers.--Funds appropriated under this chapter that are not spent as of the effective date of this subsection or after each annual grant cycle shall be transferred as follows:

Subchapter E of Chapter 78 of Title 35 is <-- repealed:

SECTION 11.

SUBCHAPTER E OF CHAPTER 78 AND SECTIONS 7892 AND <-- 20240HB2407PN3737 - 28 - 7893 OF TITLE 35 ARE REPEALED:

20240HB2407PN3428 - 23 - § 7841.

(c) Certification.--The Office of the State Fire Commissioner shall include with the written notification under subsection (b) a form for each eligible EMS company to certify that a grant received under this subchapter shall be used for 20240HB2407PN3737 - 29 - the purposes under section 7823(a) and provide a deadline by which an EMS company must return the certification form.

(e) Report.--No later than July 30, 2022, each EMS company 20240HB2407PN3428 - 24 - receiving a grant award under this subchapter shall report to the Office of the State Fire Commissioner how it will use the grant money awarded under subsection (d).

20240HB2407PN3737 - 30 - (2) The total number of EMS companies that submitted a certification for the grant program.

(b) Submission.--The commissioner shall submit the report by 20240HB2407PN3428 - 25 - September 1, 2022, to all of the following:

Chapter 78 of Title 35 is amended by adding a <-- subchapter to read:

Hazardous materials team and specialty team competitive 20240HB2407PN3737 - 31 - grants.

(a) Awards.--The commissioner shall use money transferred under section 7832.3 (relating to hazardous materials and 20240HB2407PN3428 - 26 - specialty funding) to establish a grant program for hazardous materials teams and specialty teams.

(d) Guidelines.--The commissioner shall develop guidelines for the grant program, including for the issuance and revocation of FDID numbers for eligible applicants of the grant program, and shall transmit the guidelines to the Legislative Reference Bureau for publication in the next available issue of the 20240HB2407PN3737 - 32 - Pennsylvania Bulletin.

Section 15.13.

20240HB2407PN3428 - 27 - [§ 7892.

The authority of the Office of the State Fire Commissioner to award grants under Subchapter E (relating to Emergency Medical Services COVID-19 Recovery Grant Program) shall expire June 30, 2022.] Section 16.14 12.

Sections 7894(a) and (d) and 7895(a) 7895(A) <-- INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH, (4), (5) AND (6) of Title 35 are amended to read:

(a) Claim.--An applicant for a grant under this chapter who failed to return a signed agreement for the preceding year shall not be permitted to apply for a grant in the current year unless the applicant has provided the commissioner with a reasonable 20240HB2407PN3737 - 33 - written explanation as to why it did not claim its grant prior to the beginning of the application period.

* * * (d) Approval.--An applicant shall not be approved for a <-- grant to be used for purposes other than those stated in section 7813(a) (relating to award of grants) [or], 7823(a) (relating to award of grants) or 7852(c) (relating to hazardous materials team and specialty team competitive grants).

(a) Contents.--The commissioner shall prepare an annual 20240HB2407PN3428 - 28 - report on the Fire Company Grant Program [and], the Emergency <-- Medical Services Grant Program and the Hazardous Materials Team <-- and Specialty Team Grant Program.

(1) The total number of fire companies [and], EMS <-- companies, hazardous materials teams and specialty teams that were notified of the grant programs.

* * * <-- (4) An analysis of how the grants to fire companies and EMS companies were used for facilities, equipment, debt reduction, training and certification, the education of the general public, construction savings accounts and recruitment and retention, including length of service award programs, as delineated by county and municipality.

20240HB2407PN3737 - 34 - [(5) A list of the fire companies as delineated by county that received additional grants under section 7813(a.2) (relating to award of grants).] (6) A list of the different entities that received grants, including hazardous materials teams, specialty teams, <-- combined fire companies, municipal fire companies, volunteer fire companies[, municipal emergency medical services companies and volunteer] and EMS companies.

(7) A list of the different reasons why grants were not <-- issued to fire companies [and], EMS companies, hazardous materials teams and specialty teams, including, but not 20240HB2407PN3428 - 29 - limited to, the following:

* * * <-- Section 17.15 13.

<-- (1) The addition of 35 Pa.C.S.

§ 7852 shall take effect <-- in 180 days.

(2)(1) TheTHE remainderAMENDMENT ofOF this35 actPA.C.S. shall take effect immediately.

20240HB2407PN3428§ -7364(A) 30AND -(B) SHALL <-- TAKE EFFECT IN 60 DAYS.

(2) THE ADDITION OF 35 PA.C.S.

§ 7383.1(B.1) SHALL TAKE EFFECT IN SIX MONTHS.

(2) (3) The remainder of this act shall take effect <-- immediately.

20240HB2407PN3737 - 35 -