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Legislation aims to help fire companies recoup cost

Billing insurance companies one option funding shortfalls

Bunker gear hangs in the garage of the fire house in Mt. Lebanon. The township has a combination fire house — a mix of volunteer and career firefighters.

 Sarah Kovash / WESA

Bunker gear hangs in the garage of the fire house in Mt. Lebanon. The township has a combination fire house — a mix of volunteer and career firefighters.

Firefighting is expensive.

There are recruiting costs, recurring training, and expensive equipment to purchase and maintain.

Forecasting those costs is especially difficult because firefighters don’t only respond to fire alarms or battle blazes. Many departments also respond to calls for emergency medical services in their areas.

In Pennsylvania, more than 96% of registered fire departments are manned by volunteers. Managing a volunteer fire department is an exercise in doing a lot with very little funding.  As costs rise, their fundraising efforts must, as well.

There is new legislation in the works that would allow volunteer fire companies to bill for the cost of their emergency response.

The bill would allow local departments to seek compensation from the insurance companies who provide policy coverage for the buildings or vehicles involved in the emergency call.

Not everyone agrees that billing insurance providers is the right answer, or that this bill solves recurring funding problems. Opponents say that most policies don’t cover the cost of fire response and the bill’s language must be clarified.

Appearing on Smart Talk to discuss the legislation and potential pitfalls are Republican State Representative Cris Dush of Jefferson County and Sam Marshall, President and CEO of the Insurance Federation of Pennsylvania.

Also, Pennysylvania planned to expand gambling in the state by auctioning 10 additional mini casino licenses. Only five of them have been sold to date.

Joining Smart Talk to discuss the impact this may have on the state budget is PaPost reporter Ed Mahon.

Republican State Representative Cris Dush of Jefferson County appears on Smart Talk September 10, 2019.

Smart Talk

Republican State Representative Cris Dush of Jefferson County appears on Smart Talk September 10, 2019.

PA Post reporter Ed Mahon explains the debate over the Pennsylvania minimum wage.

Ed Mahon / PA Post

PA Post reporter Ed Mahon explains mini casino licensing issues on Smart Talk September 10, 2019

Sam Marshall, President and CEO of the Insurance Federation of Pennsylvania, appears on Smart Talk September 10, 2019

Smart Talk

Sam Marshall, President and CEO of the Insurance Federation of Pennsylvania, appears on Smart Talk September 10, 2019

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