reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 35 - HEALTH AND SAFETY › Chapter 73 - Commonwealth Services › Section 7338 - Workers' compensation

§ 7338. Workers' compensation.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a responding political subdivision shall provide appropriate workers' compensation insurance protection for municipal employees and volunteers representing the responding political subdivision when responding to a request under this system. Personnel of a responding political subdivision who sustain injury or death in the course of and arising out of their employment shall be entitled to all applicable benefits normally available to personnel while performing their duties for their employer. Responders shall receive any additional Federal and State benefits that may be available to them for line-of-duty deaths.
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 35 - HEALTH AND SAFETY › Chapter 73 - Commonwealth Services › Section 7339 - Immunity

§ 7339. Immunity.
All activities performed under the intrastate mutual aid system are deemed to be governmental functions. For the purposes of liability, all persons responding under the operational control of the requesting political subdivision shall be deemed to be employees of the requesting participating political subdivision. Except in cases of willful misconduct, gross negligence or bad faith, neither the participating political subdivisions nor their employees shall be liable for the death of or injury to persons or for damage to property when complying or attempting to comply with the system. This subchapter shall provide no immunity, rights or privileges for any individual responding to an incident where the response has not been requested by a participating political subdivision.
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 35 - HEALTH AND SAFETY › Chapter 73 - Commonwealth Services › Section 7340 - Effect on other agreements

§ 7340. Effect on other agreements.
Nothing in this subchapter shall preclude participating political subdivisions from entering into supplementary agreements with another political subdivision. Nothing in this subchapter shall affect any other agreement to which a political subdivision may, on the effective date of this section, be a party.
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 35 - HEALTH AND SAFETY › Chapter 73 - Commonwealth Services › Section 7351 - Establishment, purpose and name

§ 7351. Establishment, purpose and name.
In order to enable the Department of Education more effectively to train firefighters under the program of the Public Service Institute Board established by the department under its vocational education program, there is hereby established a training school for firefighters for practical training in the control and extinguishment of fires. The training school shall be known as the Pennsylvania State Firemen's Training School.
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 35 - HEALTH AND SAFETY › Chapter 73 - Commonwealth Services › Section 7352 - Supervision and control

§ 7352. Supervision and control.
The management of the school and the control and care of the buildings and grounds owned and used by the Commonwealth for the school and the conduct of instruction at the school shall be under the direct supervision and control of the Department of Education.
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 35 - HEALTH AND SAFETY › Chapter 73 - Commonwealth Services › Section 7353 - Powers and duties

§ 7353. Powers and duties.
The Department of Education and the Public Service Institute Board shall have the power and their duty shall be:
(1) To fix the salaries of the employees of the school in conformity with the standards established by the Executive Board.
(2) To make rules and regulations for the government and management of the school and the admission of firefighters from the various political subdivisions to the school.
(3) To prescribe the courses of study and the practical training in connection therewith.
(4) To accept on behalf of the Commonwealth donations of land or equipment for the use of the school.
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 35 - HEALTH AND SAFETY › Chapter 73 - Commonwealth Services › Section 7354 - Persons admitted

§ 7354. Persons admitted.
All firefighters who are regularly employed by any local political subdivision of this Commonwealth and all regularly enrolled members of volunteer fire companies shall be eligible for admission to the school and shall be chosen by the governing authority of each political subdivision. The Public Service Institute Board shall apportion the number admitted to the school so that each county is represented in the ratio that the number of firefighters in each county bears to the total number of firefighters in this Commonwealth.
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 35 - HEALTH AND SAFETY › Chapter 73 - Commonwealth Services › Section 7356 - Acquisition of site

§ 7356. Acquisition of site.
The Secretary of Education, with the approval of the Governor, may accept a gift of land suitable as a site for the school or, if no gift of a suitable site is offered, the secretary shall, with the approval of the Governor, select for acquisition by the Department of General Services in the name of the Commonwealth a tract of land located in or adjacent to the borough of Lewistown for the erection, construction, furnishing and equipping thereon by the Department of General Services of the Pennsylvania State Firemen's Training School. The title to the lands so acquired, whether by gift or otherwise, shall be approved by the Attorney General. If it shall be found that the Commonwealth owns State lands suitable in whole or in part for such use, the lands may be designated by the Department of Education, with the approval of the Governor and the department, board or commission having possession and control of the lands, and used for such purpose. Any additional lands necessary may be selected and acquired as herein provided.
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 35 - HEALTH AND SAFETY › Chapter 73 - Commonwealth Services › Section 7357 - Conveyance of land and plans for buildings and structures

§ 7357. Conveyance of land and plans for buildings and
structures.
Upon the acquisition of any land in the name of the Commonwealth or designation of any land of the Commonwealth, the Department of General Services shall have the authority to erect or construct and furnish and equip thereon the buildings and other structures necessary for the Pennsylvania State Firemen's Training School. The plans and specifications of the school, whether erected on land acquired directly by the Department of General Services or by conveyance to it from the Commonwealth, shall be subject to the approval of the Department of Education and shall provide for suitable buildings and other necessary equipment, structures and improvements.
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 35 - HEALTH AND SAFETY › Chapter 73 - Commonwealth Services › Section 7358 - Leasing by Commonwealth

§ 7358. Leasing by Commonwealth.
The Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, is authorized to enter into a lease for not more than 99 years to acquire the use of the buildings and structures and any lands connected therewith and the furnishings and equipment thereof for the purpose of having the same managed and operated by the Department of Education.
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 35 - HEALTH AND SAFETY › Chapter 73 - Commonwealth Services › Section 7361 - Scope of subchapter

§ 7361. Scope of subchapter.
This subchapter relates to fire companies and emergency medical services companies.
(Oct. 29, 2020, P.L.739, No.91, eff. 60 days)
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 35 - HEALTH AND SAFETY › Chapter 73 - Commonwealth Services › Section 7362 - Legislative findings and declaration of purpose

§ 7362. Legislative findings and declaration of purpose.
(a) Findings.--
The General Assembly finds that:
(1) Under the provisions of section 7(a)(3) of Article VIII of the Constitution of Pennsylvania, the voters of the Commonwealth approved by referenda on November 4, 1975, the incurring of indebtedness of $10,000,000 and on November 3, 1981, approved the incurring of an additional $15,000,000 of indebtedness and on November 6, 1990, approved the incurring of an additional $25,000,000 of indebtedness for loans to volunteer fire companies, volunteer ambulance services and volunteer rescue squads for the purpose of establishing or modernizing facilities to house firefighting apparatus equipment, ambulances and rescue vehicles and for purchasing new firefighting apparatus equipment, ambulances and rescue vehicles, protective and communications equipment and any other accessory equipment necessary for the proper performance of such organizations' duties.
(2) Under the provisions of section 7(a)(3) of Article VIII of the Constitution of Pennsylvania, on November 5, 2002, the voters of this Commonwealth approved by referendum the incurring of indebtedness for the establishment of a program that utilizes capital and other related methods to enhance and improve the delivery of volunteer fire and volunteer emergency services in this Commonwealth. The General Assembly further finds that the use of up to $50,000,000 of such indebtedness to expand the existing program providing for loans to volunteer fire companies, volunteer ambulance services and volunteer rescue squads as authorized under this subchapter is an appropriate use of such indebtedness.
(b) Purpose.--
The General Assembly has determined that fire companies and emergency medical services companies are most in need of loans. The General Assembly intends that the loans provided under this subchapter be used to replace outmoded or unsafe equipment and buildings of fire companies and emergency medical services companies to meet an increasing demand for a higher level of service in the communities which they serve.
(Oct. 29, 2020, P.L.739, No.91, eff. 60 days)
2020 Amendment.
Act 91 amended subsec. (b).
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 35 - HEALTH AND SAFETY › Chapter 73 - Commonwealth Services › Section 7365 - Fire and Emergency Medical Services Loan Fund

§ 7365. Fire and Emergency Medical Services Loan Fund.
(a) General rule.--
There is created a special fund in the Treasury Department to be known as the Fire and Emergency Medical Services Loan Fund to which shall be credited all appropriations made by the General Assembly other than appropriations for expenses of administering this subchapter or grants from other sources to the office as well as repayment of principal and interest on loans made under this subchapter.
(b) Requisition.--
Upon approval of the loan, the commissioner shall routinely requisition from the fund such amounts as shall be allocated by the office for loans to fire companies or EMS companies. When and as the amounts so allocated as loans to fire companies or EMS companies are repaid pursuant to the terms of the agreements made and entered into with the office, the office shall pay such amounts into the fund, it being the intent of this subchapter that the fund shall operate as a revolving fund whereby all appropriations and payments made thereto may be applied and reapplied to the purposes of this subchapter.
(c) Administration.--
The commissioner may use up to 50% of the interest payments, but not in excess of $600,000, for administrative costs on an annual basis.
(June 29, 2012, P.L.663, No.78, eff. imd.; Dec. 23, 2013, P.L.1256, No.129, eff. 60 days; Oct. 29, 2020, P.L.739, No.91, eff. 60 days)
Cross References.
Section 7365 is referred to in sections 7363, 7376 of this title.
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 35 - HEALTH AND SAFETY › Chapter 73 - Commonwealth Services › Section 7366 - Powers and duties of office

§ 7366. Powers and duties of office.
(a) Mandatory.--
The office has the following duties:
(1) To appoint agents and employees necessary to the administration of this subchapter and to prescribe their duties and to fix their compensation within the limitations provided by law.
(2) To accept grants from the Federal Government and any other individual, agency or government for use in the fund.
(3) To loan money over a term of years, but in no case in excess of 20 years.
(3.1) To establish criteria to determine need for firefighting apparatus, ambulances and rescue vehicles and to establish guidelines and procedures for fire companies or EMS companies to show just cause to determine that need.
(4) To promulgate regulations and develop guidelines and procedures as it deems necessary to carry out its powers and duties under this subchapter.
(b) Discretionary.--
The office has the following powers:
(1) To require security for all loans.
(2) To specify priority of liens against any facilities, apparatus equipment, ambulances, rescue vehicles or any equipment purchased by fire companies using funds loaned under this subchapter to pay all or any part of the purchase price, as the office may require by established guidelines and procedures. The commissioner may specify the type of liens or collateral authorized as security under this paragraph.
(3) To reject a loan application based on the criteria established under subsection (a).
(Dec. 23, 2013, P.L.1256, No.129, eff. 60 days; Oct. 29, 2020, P.L.739, No.91, eff. 60 days)
2020 Amendment.
Act 91 amended subsecs. (a)(2) and (3.1) and (b)(2).
2013 Amendment.
Act 129 amended the section heading, subsecs. (a) intro. par. and (4) and (b) intro. par. and (2) and added subsecs. (a)(3.1) and (b)(3).
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 35 - HEALTH AND SAFETY › Chapter 73 - Commonwealth Services › Section 7368 - Bonds, issue, maturity and interest

§ 7368. Bonds, issue, maturity and interest.
(a) General rule.
--As evidence of the indebtedness authorized by this subchapter, general obligation bonds of the Commonwealth shall be issued from time to time for such total amounts, in such form, in such denominations and subject to such terms and conditions of issue, redemption and maturity, rate or rates of interest and time of payment of interest, as the Governor, Auditor General and State Treasurer shall direct, except that the latest stated maturity date shall not exceed 30 years from the date of the bond first issued for each series.
(b) Facsimile signatures.
--All bonds issued under the authority of this subchapter shall bear facsimile signatures of the Governor, Auditor General and State Treasurer and a facsimile of the Great Seal of the Commonwealth and shall be countersigned by two duly authorized officers of the duly authorized loan and transfer agents of the Commonwealth.
(c) Direct obligations.
--All bonds issued in accordance with this subchapter shall be direct obligations of the Commonwealth, and the full faith and credit of the Commonwealth are hereby pledged for the payment of the interest thereon as the same shall become due and the payment of the principal thereof at maturity. All bonds issued under this subchapter shall be exempt from taxation for State and local purposes. The principal of and interest on such bonds shall be payable in lawful money of the United States.
(d) Types of bonds.
--Bonds may be issued as coupon bonds or registered as to both principal and interest as the issuing officials may determine. If interest coupons are attached, they shall contain the facsimile signature of the State Treasurer.
(e) Authorization.
--The issuing officials shall provide for the amortization of the bonds in substantial and regular amounts over the term of the debt, except that the first retirement of principal shall be stated to mature prior to the expiration of a period of time equal to one-tenth of the time from the date of the first obligation issue to evidence such debt to the date of the expiration of the term of the debt. Retirements of principal shall be regular and substantial if made in annual or semiannual amounts whether by stated serial maturities or by mandatory sinking fund retirements computed in accordance with either a level annual debt service plan, as nearly as may be, or upon the equal annual maturities plan.
(f) Preparation and printing.
--The Governor, the Auditor General and the State Treasurer shall have the necessary bonds prepared and printed. Upon preparation and printing, the bonds immediately shall be deposited with the duly authorized loan and transfer agent of the Commonwealth and shall remain in the agent's possession until sold in accordance with this subchapter.
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 35 - HEALTH AND SAFETY › Chapter 73 - Commonwealth Services › Section 7369 - Sale of bonds

§ 7369. Sale of bonds.
(a) General rule.
--Bonds shall be offered for sale at not less than 98% of the principal amount and accrued interest and shall be sold by the Governor, the Auditor General and State Treasurer to the highest and best bidder or bidders after due public advertisement, on such terms and conditions and upon such open competitive bidding, as the Governor, Auditor General and State Treasurer shall direct. The manner and character of advertisement and the times of advertising shall be prescribed by the Governor, the Auditor General and the State Treasurer.
(b) Private sale.
--Any portion of any bond issue so offered and not sold or subscribed for may be disposed of by private sale by the Governor, the Auditor General and the State Treasurer in such manner and at such prices, not less than 98% of the principal amount and accrued interest, as the Governor shall direct. No commission shall be allowed or paid for the sale of any bonds issued under the authority of this subchapter.
(c) Series.
--When bonds are issued from time to time, the bonds of each issue shall constitute a separate series to be designated by the issuing officials or may be combined for sale as one series with other general obligation bonds of the Commonwealth.
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 35 - HEALTH AND SAFETY › Chapter 73 - Commonwealth Services › Section 7370 - Refunding bonds

§ 7370. Refunding bonds.
The Governor, Auditor General and the State Treasurer are authorized to provide, by resolution, for the issuance of refunding bonds for the purpose of refunding any bonds issued under this subchapter and then outstanding, either by voluntary exchange with the holders of the outstanding bonds or by providing funds to redeem and retire such outstanding bonds with accrued interest and any premium payable thereon, at maturity or at any call date. The issuance of such refunding bonds, the maturities and other details thereof, the rights of the holders thereof and the duties of the Governor, Auditor General and the State Treasurer in respect to the same shall be governed by this subchapter, insofar as this subchapter may be applicable. Refunding bonds may be issued by the Governor, Auditor General and the State Treasurer to refund bonds originally issued or to refund bonds previously issued for refunding purposes.
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 35 - HEALTH AND SAFETY › Chapter 73 - Commonwealth Services › Section 7371 - Disposition and use of proceeds

§ 7371. Disposition and use of proceeds.
(a) General rule.--
The proceeds realized from the sale of bonds under this subchapter shall be paid into the fund and are specifically dedicated to the purposes of the referenda of November 4, 1975, November 3, 1981, November 6, 1990, and November 5, 2002, and the referendum specified under section 7378.4 (relating to referendum to expand loan assistance), as implemented by this subchapter. The moneys shall be paid by the State Treasurer periodically to those agencies or authorities authorized to expend the moneys at such times and in such amounts as may be necessary to satisfy the funding needs of the agency or authority.
(b) Investing.--
Pending their application to the purposes authorized, moneys held or deposited by the State Treasurer may be invested or reinvested as are other funds in the custody of the State Treasurer in the manner provided by law. All earnings received from the investment or deposit of such funds shall be paid into the State treasury to the credit of the fund.
(Oct. 29, 2020, P.L.739, No.91, eff. 60 days)
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 35 - HEALTH AND SAFETY › Chapter 73 - Commonwealth Services › Section 7372 - Registration of bonds

§ 7372. Registration of bonds.
The Auditor General shall prepare the necessary registry book to be kept in the office of the duly authorized loan and transfer agent of the Commonwealth for the registration of any bonds, at the request of owners thereof, according to the terms and conditions of issue directed by the Governor, the Auditor General and the State Treasurer. All bonds which are issued without interest coupons attached shall be registered in the registry books kept by the duly authorized loan and transfer agent of the Commonwealth.
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 35 - HEALTH AND SAFETY › Chapter 73 - Commonwealth Services › Section 7373 - Information to General Assembly

§ 7373. Information to General Assembly.
It shall be the duty of the Governor to include in every budget submitted to the General Assembly full information relating to the issuance of bonds under this subchapter and the status of the sinking fund of the Commonwealth for the payment of the interest on said bonds and the principal thereof at maturity.
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 35 - HEALTH AND SAFETY › Chapter 73 - Commonwealth Services › Section 7374 - Fire and Emergency Medical Services Loan Sinking Fund and investments

§ 7374. Fire and Emergency Medical Services Loan Sinking Fund and investments.
All bonds issued under this subchapter shall be redeemed at maturity and all interest due from time to time on such bonds shall be paid from the Fire and Emergency Medical Services Loan Sinking Fund, which is hereby created. For the specific purpose of redeeming bonds issued under this subchapter at maturity and paying all interest thereon in accordance with the information received from the Governor, the General Assembly shall appropriate moneys to the Fire and Emergency Medical Services Loan Sinking Fund for the payment of interest on such bonds and the principal thereof at maturity. All moneys paid into the Fire and Emergency Medical Services Loan Sinking Fund and all of such moneys not necessary to pay accruing interest shall be invested by the Board of Finance and Revenue in such securities as are provided by law for the investment of the sinking funds of the Commonwealth.
(Oct. 29, 2020, P.L.739, No.91, eff. 60 days)
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 35 - HEALTH AND SAFETY › Chapter 73 - Commonwealth Services › Section 7375 - Expenses of preparation, issue and sale of bonds

§ 7375. Expenses of preparation, issue and sale of bonds.
There is appropriated to the State Treasurer from the proceeds of the bonds issued as much moneys as may be necessary for all costs and expenses in connection with the issue of and sale and registration of the bonds in connection with this subchapter.
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 35 - HEALTH AND SAFETY › Chapter 73 - Commonwealth Services › Section 7376 - Repayment obligations for principal and interest

§ 7376. Repayment obligations for principal and interest.
The General Assembly shall appropriate an amount equal to moneys received from the office under section 7365 (relating to Fire and Emergency Medical Services Loan Fund) and such other moneys as may be necessary to meet repayment obligations for principal and interest into the Fire and Emergency Medical Services Loan Sinking Fund.
(Dec. 23, 2013, P.L.1256, No.129, eff. 60 days; Oct. 29, 2020, P.L.739, No.91, eff. 60 days)
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 35 - HEALTH AND SAFETY › Chapter 73 - Commonwealth Services › Section 7377 - Quorum

§ 7377. Quorum.
Whenever under this subchapter an action is to be taken or a decision is to be made by the Governor, the Auditor General and the State Treasurer, and the three officers shall not be able to agree unanimously, the action or decision of the Governor and either the Auditor General or State Treasurer shall be binding and final.
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 35 - HEALTH AND SAFETY › Chapter 73 - Commonwealth Services › Section 7378 - Temporary financing authorization

§ 7378. Temporary financing authorization.
(a) General rule.--
Pending the issuance of bonds of the Commonwealth, the Governor, Auditor General and State Treasurer are authorized on the credit of the Commonwealth to make temporary borrowings of such moneys as may from time to time be necessary to carry out the purposes of this subchapter and are authorized in the name and on behalf of the Commonwealth to enter into loan or credit agreements with any banks or trust companies or other lending institutions or persons in the United States having power to enter into the same.
(b) Notes.--
All temporary borrowings made under the authority of this section shall be evidenced by notes of the Commonwealth, which shall be issued from time to time for such amounts not exceeding in the aggregate the sum of $100,000,000 in such form and in such denominations, and subject to such terms and conditions of issue, prepayment or redemption and maturity, rate of interest and time of payment of interest, as the issuing officials shall direct. All notes issued under the authority of this section shall bear the facsimile signatures of the issuing officials and a facsimile of the Great Seal of the Commonwealth and shall be countersigned by one duly authorized officer of a duly authorized loan and transfer agent of the Commonwealth.
(c) Funding of notes.--
All such notes shall be funded and retired by the issuance and sale of bonds of the Commonwealth to the extent that payment of such notes has not otherwise been made or provided for.
(d) Proceeds.--
The proceeds of all such temporary borrowings shall be paid into the fund.
(Oct. 29, 2020, P.L.739, No.91, eff. 60 days)
2020 Amendment.
Act 91 amended subsec. (d).
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 35 - HEALTH AND SAFETY › Chapter 73 - Commonwealth Services › Section 7378.1 - Referendum for additional indebtedness

§ 7378.1. Referendum for additional indebtedness.
The following shall apply:
(1) The question of incurring indebtedness of $25,000,000 for loans to volunteer fire companies, volunteer ambulance services and volunteer rescue squads for the purpose of establishing or modernizing facilities to house firefighting apparatus equipment, ambulances and rescue vehicles, and for purchasing firefighting apparatus equipment, ambulances and rescue vehicles, protective and communications equipment and any other accessory equipment necessary for the proper performance of such organizations' duties, shall be submitted to the electors at the next primary, municipal or general election held after July 15, 1976.
(2) The Secretary of the Commonwealth shall forthwith certify the question to the county boards of election.
(3) The question shall be in substantially the following form:
Do you favor the incurring of indebtedness of $25,000,000 for loans to volunteer fire companies, volunteer ambulance services and volunteer rescue squads for the purpose of establishing or modernizing facilities to house firefighting apparatus equipment, ambulances and rescue vehicles, and for purchasing firefighting apparatus equipment, ambulances and rescue vehicles, protective and communications equipment, and any other accessory equipment necessary for the proper performance of such organizations' duties?
(4) The election shall be conducted in accordance with the act of June 3, 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), known as the Pennsylvania Election Code, except that the time limits for advertisement of notice of the election may be waived as to the question.
(5) Proceeds of borrowing shall be used through loans to volunteer fire companies, volunteer ambulance services and volunteer rescue squads pursuant to and for any purpose established by this subchapter.
Cross References.
Section 7378.1 is referred to in section 7378.4 of this title.
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 35 - HEALTH AND SAFETY › Chapter 73 - Commonwealth Services › Section 7378.2 - Authorization of contracts, reimbursement procedure and amount

§ 7378.2. Authorization of contracts, reimbursement procedure and amount.
The following shall apply:
(1) The Secretary of General Services is authorized to enter into contracts with local fire companies or emergency medical services companies to provide services necessary to extinguish fires or perform any other allied services on State-owned property.
(2) The Secretary of Transportation is authorized to enter into contracts with local fire companies or emergency medical services companies to provide services necessary to extinguish fires or perform any other allied services on limited access highways, other than the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
(Oct. 29, 2020, P.L.739, No.91, eff. 60 days)
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 35 - HEALTH AND SAFETY › Chapter 73 - Commonwealth Services › Section 7378.3 - Reimbursement procedure and amount

§ 7378.3. Reimbursement procedure and amount.
The following shall apply:
(1) A contract between the Secretary of General Services or the Secretary of Transportation and a local fire company or emergency medical services company shall provide that the Department of General Services or the Department of Transportation shall, monthly, upon receipt of proper proof, reimburse each contracted fire company or emergency medical services company attending and providing fire control or other allied services on State-owned property or limited access highways, as the case may be, a minimum amount of $50 for each verified fire or emergency call and the cost of any special extinguishing agents utilized, which the fire company or emergency medical services company made in the preceding month as certified by the person in charge at the particular State-owned property or by an individual or individuals designated by the Secretary of Transportation to verify services rendered on limited access highways.
(2) A contract between the Department of General Services or the Department of Transportation and an emergency medical services company shall also provide that the emergency medical services company request reimbursement from collectible insurance proceeds available as a result of the fire or emergency situation for which the emergency medical services company provided allied services. Proceeds payable to the emergency medical services company shall be deducted from the reimbursement for services provided pursuant to a contract entered into under this subchapter. Prior to payment for services rendered, the emergency medical services company shall provide proof that they requested reimbursement from collectible insurance proceeds.
(3) A false alarm on State-owned property to which a fire company or emergency medical services company responds shall constitute a fire or emergency call and shall be reimbursed at a rate set by the contract with the Secretary of General Services, but shall not be less than $25 for each occurrence.
(Oct. 29, 2020, P.L.739, No.91, eff. 60 days)
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 35 - HEALTH AND SAFETY › Chapter 73 - Commonwealth Services › Section 7378.4 - Referendum to expand loan assistance

§ 7378.4. Referendum to expand loan assistance.
(a) Referendum.--
The question of expanding the use of the indebtedness authorized under sections 7367 (relating to authority to borrow) and 7378.1 (relating to referendum for additional indebtedness) for volunteer loan assistance under this subchapter to include municipal fire departments or fire companies and emergency medical services companies for the purpose of establishing and modernizing facilities to house apparatus equipment, ambulances and rescue vehicles, protective and communications equipment and any other accessory equipment necessary for the proper performance of such organizations' duties shall be submitted to the electorate at the next primary, municipal or general election held after November 3, 2020.
(b) Certification.--
The Secretary of the Commonwealth shall certify the question to the county boards of election.
(c) Question to the electorate.--
The question shall be in substantially the following form:
Do you favor expanding the use of the indebtedness authorized under the referendum for loans to volunteer fire companies, volunteer ambulance services and volunteer rescue squads under 35 Pa.C.S. § 7378.1 (relating to referendum for additional indebtedness) to include loans to municipal fire departments or companies that provide services through paid personnel and emergency medical services companies for the purpose of establishing and modernizing facilities to house apparatus equipment, ambulances and rescue vehicles, protective and communications equipment and any other accessory equipment necessary for the proper performance of the duties of the fire companies and emergency medical services companies?
(d) Election procedure.--
The referendum under this section shall be conducted in accordance with the act of June 3, 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), known as the Pennsylvania Election Code.
(e) Construction.--
This section shall not be construed as authorizing any additional borrowing for loan assistance to fire companies or emergency medical services companies.
(Oct. 29, 2020, P.L.739, No.91, eff. 60 days)
2020 Amendment.
Act 91 added section 7378.4.
Cross References.
Section 7378.4 is referred to in section 7371 of this title.
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 35 - HEALTH AND SAFETY › Chapter 73 - Commonwealth Services › Section 7378.5 - Annual report and distribution of information

§ 7378.5. Annual report and distribution of information.
(a) Annual report.--
(1) The office shall produce an annual report, which shall include all of the following information:
(i) How much money is in the fund at the beginning of each fiscal year and the balance in the fund at the end of each fiscal year.
(ii) How many loan applications were received by the office.
(iii) How many loans were issued under the Pennsylvania Fire and Emergency Medical Services Loan Program.
(iv) The fire companies and EMS companies to which the loans were issued by the office.
(v) The total amount of loans issued by the office.
(vi) The number and amount of loans for facilities, apparatus and equipment.
(2) The report shall be posted on the office's publicly accessible Internet website and sent 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.
(b) Distribution.--
The office shall annually distribute information on the fund to all fire companies and emergency medical services companies in this Commonwealth, including notice of the Pennsylvania Fire and Emergency Medical Services Loan Program and the amounts that can be borrowed under the program.
(Oct. 29, 2020, P.L.739, No.91, eff. 60 days)
2020 Amendment.
Act 91 added section 7378.5.
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 35 - HEALTH AND SAFETY › Chapter 73 - Commonwealth Services › Section 7382 - Definitions

§ 7382. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this subchapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Agency."
The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency.
"Board."
The State Fire Advisory Board.
"Commissioner."
The State Fire Commissioner.
"Committee."
(Deleted by amendment).
(Oct. 29, 2020, P.L.739, No.91, eff. 60 days)
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 35 - HEALTH AND SAFETY › Chapter 73 - Commonwealth Services › Section 7384 - Pennsylvania State Fire Academy

§ 7384. Pennsylvania State Fire Academy.
(a) Creation.--
There is created the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy, which shall be under the operational control of the commissioner. The commissioner shall administratively provide for the erection or construction, the furnishing, the staffing and the equipping of buildings and structures through the Department of General Services and for the leasing thereof by the Commonwealth for the use and support of the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy.
(b) Transfer.--
(Deleted by amendment).
(c) Hazardous chemical and radioactive material training.--
The Pennsylvania State Fire Academy shall serve as the resident Commonwealth government center for hazardous chemical and radioactive material training. The Pennsylvania State Fire Academy is authorized to use resident and field staff to support this training.
(d) Firefighter training and certification.--
A Statewide firefighter training program shall be implemented by the commissioner. The program shall also include a firefighter certification program in accordance with established standards. The acquisition of physical resources to enhance Statewide capability shall be coordinated by the commissioner.
(e) Administration.--
(1) The commissioner may assess reasonable fees on for-profit corporations and businesses and on students who are nonresidents of this Commonwealth for fire, rescue and emergency service training programs provided to them by the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy, but in no event shall any member of a municipal or volunteer fire, rescue, ambulance or other emergency service organization located within this Commonwealth be charged for training provided at the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy.
(2) The commissioner may charge all students for class materials and supplies directly related to the conduct of classes provided at the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy and for insignia, patches and similar memorabilia indicating student attendance or achievement at the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy.
(3) All revenues generated by these fees and charges shall augment the appropriation made to the Office of the State Fire Commissioner.
(Oct. 29, 2020, P.L.739, No.91, eff. 60 days)
2020 Amendment. Act 91 amended subsecs. (a) and (d) and deleted subsec. (b).
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 35 - HEALTH AND SAFETY › Chapter 73 - Commonwealth Services › Section 7385 - Pennsylvania Fire and Emergency Medical Services Loan Program

§ 7385. Pennsylvania Fire and Emergency Medical Services Loan Program.
(a) Creation.--
There shall be a loan program, which shall be implemented by the commissioner, for fire companies and emergency medical services companies, known as the Pennsylvania Fire and Emergency Medical Services Loan Program, which shall make loans under Subchapter E (relating to Fire and Emergency Medical Services Loan Program).
(b) Transfer.--
There are transferred to the commissioner, to be used, employed and expended in connection with the functions, powers and duties enumerated in subsection (a), personnel, contractual obligations, if any, mortgages, liens, encumbrances and any other secured interests, records, files, property, supplies and equipment now being used or held in connection with such functions, powers and duties and the unexpended balance of appropriations, allocations and other funds available or to be made available for use in connection with such functions, powers and duties as previously were vested in the Department of Community Affairs under Subchapter E and transferred to the agency by Reorganization Plan No.7 of 1981 (P.L.615).
(c) Regulations.--
(Deleted by amendment).
(Oct. 29, 2020, P.L.739, No.91, eff. 60 days)
2020 Amendment.
Act 91 amended the section heading and subsec. (a) and deleted subsec. (c).
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 35 - HEALTH AND SAFETY › Chapter 73 - Commonwealth Services › Section 7388 - Online training for firefighters

§ 7388. Online training for firefighters.
(a) Duty to establish guidelines.--
The commissioner shall establish guidelines for the development, delivery and maintenance of an online system of firefighter training for firefighters. The guidelines shall state, at a minimum, that the training is voluntary and offered free of charge.
(b) Prioritization training program.--
The training program shall be incorporated into the Train PA system or any other system approved by the commissioner, and the courses or programs offered must be, to the greatest extent possible, courses or programs that do not require hands-on or field training and provide, at a minimum, basic-level training for firefighters.
(c) Prioritization.--
In establishing online training courses, the commissioner shall prioritize specific topics.
(d) Certificate of completion.--
The commissioner shall provide a certificate of completion to a firefighter who successfully completes an online firefighter training program.
(e) Publication.--
The Office of the State Fire Commissioner shall post a complete listing of the available online firefighter training courses on the office's publicly accessible Internet website.
(f) Funding.--
The commissioner shall use money in the Online Training Educator and Training Reimbursement Account established under section 2413(a)(2) of the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, for the purpose of administering this section.
(g) Reporting.--
By December 31 each year, the commissioner shall provide a written report detailing the use of the Online Training Educator and Training Reimbursement Account from the prior fiscal year to the chairperson and minority chairperson of the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee of the Senate, the chairperson and minority chairperson of the Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee of the Senate, the chairperson and minority chairperson of the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives and the Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee of the House of Representatives.
(Nov. 27, 2019, P.L.737, No.106, eff. 60 days)
2019 Amendment.
Act 106 added section 7388.
Cross References. Section 7388 is referred to in section 7388.1 of this title.
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 35 - HEALTH AND SAFETY › Chapter 73 - Commonwealth Services › Section 7388.1 - Money for online training for firefighters

§ 7388.1. Money for online training for firefighters.
Money transferred under 3 Pa.C.S. § 1113(a)(2) (relating to disposition of certain funds) shall be utilized by the commissioner for the purposes under section 7388 (relating to online training for firefighters).
(Nov. 3, 2022, P.L.1674, No.104, eff. imd.)
2022 Amendment.
Act 104 added section 7388.1.
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 35 - HEALTH AND SAFETY › Chapter 74 - Volunteer Firefighters › Extra - Chapter Notes

Enactment.
Chapter 74 was added November 23, 2010, P.L.1181, No.118, effective January 1, 2011.
Cross References.
Subchapter D is referred to in section 3505 of Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses).
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 35 - HEALTH AND SAFETY › Chapter 74 - Volunteer Firefighters › Section 7403 - Insurance and compensation

§ 7403. Insurance and compensation.
A city, borough or township may expend out of the public funds of the municipality an amount necessary to secure insurance or compensation for volunteer firemen killed or injured while going to, returning from or attending fires in the municipality or territory adjacent thereto.
Special Provisions in Appendix.
See section 7(b.1)(1) of Act 118 of 2010 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to continuation of prior law.
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 35 - HEALTH AND SAFETY › Chapter 74 - Volunteer Firefighters › Section 7413 - Statement of purpose

§ 7413. Statement of purpose.
The purpose of this subchapter is to encourage individuals to take part in the fire service as volunteer firefighters by establishing criteria and standards for orderly administration and conduct of affairs of firefighters' relief associations to ensure, as far as circumstances will reasonably permit, that funds shall be available for the assistance to and protection of volunteer firefighters and their heirs in order to provide:
(1) Financial assistance to volunteer firefighters who may suffer physical or mental injury or misfortune by reason of their participation in the fire service.
(2) Financial assistance to the widow, children and other dependents of volunteer firefighters who lose their lives as a result of their participation in the fire service.
(3) For payment, either by insurance or by operation of a beneficial fund, of a sum certain to designated beneficiaries of a participating member following the death of a member for any cause and to establish criteria which members must meet in order to qualify as participants in a death benefit fund.
(4) Safeguards for preserving life, health and safety of volunteer firefighters to ensure their availability to participate in the fire service, including necessary training.
(5) Financial assistance to volunteer firefighters who, after having actively participated in the fire service for a specified minimum term, are no longer physically able to continue participation and are in need of financial assistance.
(6) Funds to aid rehabilitation of volunteer firefighters who have suffered an impairment of their physical capacity to continue to perform their normal occupations.
(6.1) Financial assistance to recruit and retain volunteer firefighters.
(7) Sufficient funds to ensure the efficient and economic handling of the business of firefighters' relief associations in accomplishing the objectives of this section.
(Oct. 29, 2020, P.L.739, No.91, eff. 6 months)
2020 Amendment.
Act 91 amended the intro. par. and pars. (1) and (4) and added par. (6.1).
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 35 - HEALTH AND SAFETY › Chapter 74 - Volunteer Firefighters › Section 7414 - Construction

§ 7414. Construction.
This subchapter shall be:
(1) Construed, applied and interpreted, so far as circumstances permit, as justifying the actions of the officers and members of volunteer firefighters' relief associations affected by it, when the actions appear to have been taken in good faith and in a bona fide belief that they were in furtherance of the purposes of this subchapter.
(2) Strictly construed and applied against persons responsible:
(i) for actions taken in willful disregard of the purposes of this subchapter or with reckless indifference to those purposes; and
(ii) if an action which has been called into question results, has resulted or was likely to result in an unmerited personal benefit to one or more of the persons responsible for taking that action.
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 35 - HEALTH AND SAFETY › Chapter 74 - Volunteer Firefighters › Section 7417 - Cooperation agreements

§ 7417. Cooperation agreements.
Two or more volunteer firefighters' relief associations may jointly cooperate to enter into agreements to make expenditures that are authorized under this subchapter. A joint cooperation agreement may be enforced by and against a volunteer firefighters' relief association.