Act 93 of 2008

October 8, 2008

The Legislature passed SB 1225 relating to Mutual Aid. This new law formalizes what municipalities and agencies have been doing for years. An "Intrastate Mutual Aid Committee" has been formed, and responders under this system have been identified. Each municipality in Pennsylvania has the right to participate or opt out, and they are to consult with Fire and EMS as to their needs. The participating municipalities then will hold joint planning, info-swapping, and training with others in the area. There is also an entire subsection devoted to responses and to reimbursement.

Of course, we as Fire Police have been doing this for years, and 35 CS 1202, Powers in Another Municipality, makes it clear that if we're dispatched for any emergency we have full powers.

However that said, isn't it a crime that Fire Police are not mentioned in this new law? Nor are we represented on the "Intrastate Mutual Aid Committee". What happened? Easy. Our state association, who is supposed to be monitoring these things and supposed to be acting in our interests, have once again let us down. Now we will have to expend lots of energy and time to speak to the legislators and get this glaring oversight corrected. Of course, their question will be 'why didn't your state association get you guys taken care of?' How do we respond to this?

Why not ask your County delegate to get an answer? Why not go to the next state meeting and demand an answer of the out-of-touch fossils running the Board? It's about time for some accountability!

Act 93 can be accessed through the state website, or if you want a copy, let us know.