First responders are the backbone of public safety, risking their lives to protect our communities. As they face increasingly complex and dangerous situations, ensuring they receive high-quality training is more critical than ever.
 
Pennsylvania’s community colleges play a vital role in preparing police officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), and other emergency personnel. Last year alone, these institutions trained 79,688 first responders across the Commonwealth.
 
However, funding for first responder training was discontinued decades ago, leaving community colleges to subsidize these essential programs at a financial loss. Without stable funding, these institutions struggle to maintain and expand their programs, jeopardizing both public safety and workforce readiness.
 
To address this urgent need, we are introducing legislation to establish dedicated funding for first responder training with an initial investment of $5 million. This funding will:
 

• Enhance training facilities and provide state-of-the-art equipment.
• Expand specialized courses reflecting the latest advancements in emergency response.
• Reduce the financial burden on community colleges currently subsidizing these programs.
• Strengthen the pipeline of highly trained public safety professionals, particularly in rural areas with limited access to training. 

Investing in these programs will help close critical emergency response gaps, improve Pennsylvania’s public safety infrastructure, and support local economies by addressing workforce shortages in emergency services.
 
We invite you to join us in supporting this essential initiative to protect our communities and equip those who dedicate their lives to serving others. If you have any questions or wish to co-sponsor this legislation, please contact our offices.
 
Thank you for your consideration.