Ortitay bill would assist volunteer fire companies
State Rep. Jason Ortitay, R-South Fayette, introduced legislation to assist volunteer fire companies in constructing living quarters at their stations.
As the number of volunteer firefighters declines, the goal of the legislation is to encourage younger volunteers, who can live at the fire department in exchange for providing 24/7 fire coverage.
House Bill 2550 would redirect 0.1 percent of the annual deposits into the Public Transportation Trust Fund to create the Volunteer Fire Company Physical Improvement Fund. The grant program would assist volunteer fire companies with building physical structures and purchasing items needed to create living quarters on their premises.