The Pennsylvania Senate today passed legislation that will greatly affect the recruitment and retention of Fire and EMS volunteers across Pennsylvania. A press conference was held this morning in the Media Center of the Capitol hosted by Senate members to draw attention to the legislation that was later passed in the Senate Session. Senator Baker, who led the effort, explained that her legislation would provide $500 tax credits to volunteer Fire and EMS responders and also tax credits to Employers. Senator Waugh, a longtime supporter of Emergency Responders and Co Chair of the Fire Caucus in the Senate, spoke about his bill to provide educational courses as an incentive to volunteers. Senator Dinnaman spoke about his legislation to permit local governments to provide local income tax credits to volunteers. Also in attendance was Senator O'Pake, who has been a staunch supporter of tax credits for the volunteers and Representative Tim Solobay, Vice Chair of the SR60 Commission and Co Chair of the House Fire Caucus. Speaking on behalf of Emergency Responders were Janette Kearney, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Emergency Health Services Council and Tom Savage, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Fire and Emergency Services Institute. Both thanked the Senators for their individual efforts to continue the implementation of the SR60 Recommendations. Both Janette and Tom indicated the importance of the legislation to attract and retain volunteer Fire and EMS responders. PFESI announced that a new website has been established with a grant from the Firemen’s Legislative Federation to enable Emergency Service Responders to utilize the power of the internet to communicate directly with their legislators and the Governor. Emergency Services Responders are encouraged to register by visiting the website at www.pesla.org Emergency Services Responders are urged to contact their legislators in the House and tell them how important this legislation is to the recruitment and retention of Volunteers and that they expect them to support the SR60 recommendations and Emergency Responders by passing this critical legislation.