Senate sends bill to governor to pave way for online training for firefighters

HARRISBURG – The Senate of Pennsylvania today gave final approval to a measure that will make firefighter training more accessible and affordable through online courses, according to Senator Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York).

Senate Bill 146 ensures that online training would be voluntary and free to both career and volunteer firefighters. All available courses would be listed online, and developed under the leadership of the state Fire Commissioner.

Training requirements are often cited as a barrier to recruitment and retention, particularly for volunteers, because they can be costly and time-consuming, often demanding travel and time away from work and family.

“Our volunteer firefighters sacrifice a lot of their own time and interests to protect our communities,” Phillips-Hill. “This is a commonsense reform that will make training more accessible and affordable for the men and women who want to serve their communities.”

The Senate Resolution 6 Commission recommended online training as one of its core suggestions to ease the staffing burden on today’s firefighters. 

Senate Bill 146 now goes to the governor for his signature.

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