DiSanto: Senate Approves Bill to Make Online Training Available to Firefighters

Harrisburg – State Senator John DiSanto (Dauphin/Perry) said the State Senate today gave final approval to a measure to make firefighter training more accessible and affordable through online courses.

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.

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

“Our volunteer fire companies have asked the General Assembly for help in recruiting and retaining members, without whom volunteer companies could not exist, and taxpayers would have to foot the bill for fire protection,” said DiSanto. “Up-to-date training is crucial for public safety, and having an online option will see to it that firefighters receive the training in the most cost-effective and least time-consuming manner possible.” 

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

CONTACT: Chuck Erdman 717-787-6801 cerdman@pasen.gov

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