In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation that expressly includes workers' compensation for members of volunteer emergency services who participate in organized fundraising activities.
 
In 1976, the Commonwealth Court held that members of a volunteer fire company killed and injured while removing a banner related to a fundraising activity were entitled to workers' compensation because, under existing law, the members were covered for activities authorized by the municipality.  
 
The implication of the case was that absent the local government’s authorization, their claims could have remained denied, despite the fact that volunteer emergency service organizations regularly find fundraising activities necessary, and the law currently and curiously, only covers "organizing” fundraisers. 
 
The Workers’ Compensation law does not expressly cover the full scope of fundraising activities. My legislation will fill this gap in the law by expressly providing workers’ compensation for volunteers’ participation in fundraising activities for volunteer emergency services, so that these personnel are more adequately protected when contributing their time to raising funds for the services they provide for our communities.  
 
I invite you to join me in co-sponsoring this important legislation. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Isaac Evans in my office at ievans@pasen.gov or 717-787-9684.