Legislation Updates
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The attached release/letter is intended as a proactive piece re fireworks. We thought it might be a good option to do an op/ed statewide, or letters to the editor . I'd strongly urge you to make any necessary edits, and please use in any way you think appropriate!
The piece talks about dangers over Labor Day Holiday, being smart, AND getting solid information on damage from fireworks before expanding availability. Washington State showed significant increases for the year when they expanded sales, as you noted last month. This uses the holiday to do a bit of counter programming to sponsors and supporters of the fireworks expansion legislation, even IF they don't plan to run the bill in fall session.
Labor Day Fireworks Caution Urged - Time to Track Injuries?
Labor Day is fast approaching, as is one of the three most likely Holidays for serious injuries, death and property damage from fireworks. This year, set a good example for your children and leave the fireworks to the professionals this Labor Day.
"The Labor Day holiday is a busy time for firefighters making sure the professional displays are conducted properly and are safe for the public; we're busy responding to all types of fires and medical emergencies. Be smart, and don't add to that effort," said _______________.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission recently released preliminary figures on deaths and injuries due to fireworks in 2015, reporting at least 11 deaths and 11,900 injuries serious enough to require emergency room treatment. But reporting of fireworks-related deaths for 2015 is not complete, and the number of deaths and injuries reported for 2015 should be considered a minimum.
The reality is that states have varying ways to count injuries, ranging from surveys around the July 4 holiday to estimates based on hospital reports. The estimates are based on data that are voluntarily reported from coroners and hospitals in several states.
Federal and state reports warn that annual estimates almost certainly undercount fireworks-related injuries. People don't always seek treatment, and hospitals may not report every case. What is known is that fireworks, especially when misused, can cause devastating injuries.
On the other hand, in Washington, where fireworks injuries must be reported, the State Fire Marshal's Office said 2016 showed a 40 percent increase in fireworks injuries statewide. Fireworks in Washington also caused 67 fires, resulting in about $200,000 in property damage earlier this summer, including 42 on July 4 alone. Fireworks also sparked 39 vegetation fires.
_________ noted, "Any injury or fire due to fireworks is too many. The best way to prevent fireworks-related injuries and fires is to attend a licensed, public fireworks display."
Supporters of legalizing fireworks - a push being made around the country by manufacturers and retailers - argue that a ban doesn't keep anyone safer and loses tax dollars. But opponents, from firemen, police and first responders to children's advocates and health care providers counter that legal fireworks lead to more severe injuries.
"Before seriously considering any expansion in fireworks sales, Pennsylvania should pass a state law requiring reporting of second- or third-degree burns from fireworks and property damage from incident responses. A fireworks-related burn may not always be that severe there's not enough data to adequately guess the number of people hurt by fireworks," __________ said.
"With reporting, the state Fire Commissioner and Department of Health could partner to collect yearly reports of injuries, deaths, fires and other damage caused by fireworks, and find patterns. And then we can make intelligent policy decisions , and suggest solutions with solid information on the potential damage to health and property."
"In the meantime, please take care when using legal fireworks this Labor Day weekend, and don't become a statistic!"
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Sincerely,
Don Konkle
PFESI
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House Bill 898 (Act 75 of 2016).Signed by Governor
Section 3. Section 4571(f) of Title 75 is amended and subsection (b.1) is amended by adding paragraphs to read:
§ 4571. Visual and audible signals on emergency vehicles.
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(b.1) Mounted lights and additional equipment.--
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(1.1) Nothing contained in the regulations under paragraph (1) may be construed to require a limit, modification or change of the lighting in police, sheriff and fire vehicles legally complying with regulations as of the date of enactment of this paragraph as long as the vehicle is used as an emergency vehicle.
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(3) The department may not prohibit the use of flashing or revolving lights mounted internally in the passenger compartment of fire department vehicles or privately owned vehicles used in answering an emergency call when used by a fire chief, assistant chief and, when a fire company has three or more fire vehicles, a second or third assistant chief that comply with the department's regulations.
(4) On an annual basis, but no later than April 1 of each year, the State Fire Commissioner may recommend to the department any changes or challenges to the emerging technology of the flashing or revolving lights mounted internally or externally in privately owned vehicles of volunteer firefighters when used in answering an emergency call. The department, in consultation with the Pennsylvania State Police, shall review the recommendations and may promulgate any necessary regulations on the use, type and installation of the emerging technology.
Don Konkle
PFESI Executive Director
717 236 5995
Current US Legislation (from CFSI)
Don't understand the legislative process? Click here to read an in-depth description of the process.
What's the difference between authorization and appropriation? Click here for an explanation.
The following is a select list of fire service legislation. Click on the bill number for further information on the legislation, including details on the status of the legislation, a list of co-sponsors, or to read the text of the bill. You may also visit Thomas, the Library of Congress Legislative Database, for information on legislation introduced during the current and past Congresses.
Download CFSI's 2016 Legislative Outlook
- FIREFIGHTER CANCER REGISTRY ACT
H.R. 4625 was introduced by Congressman Richard Hanna (NY-22) on February 25, 2016.
Summary: The legislation creates a specialized national registry to provide researchers and epidemiologists with the tools and resources they need to improve research collection activities related to the monitoring of cancer incidence among firefighters.
- FISCAL YEAR 2016 CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT
H.R. 2029 was originally introduced as the Fiscal Year 2016 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act by Congressman Charles Dent (PA-15) on April 24, 2015.
Summary: The bill fund programs and activities of the federal government for Fiscal Year 2016. Note: H.R. 2029 was signed into law on December 18, 2015.
- FIRE SPRINKLER INCENTIVE ACT
H.R. 3591 was introduced by Congressman Tom Reed (NY-23) on September 22, 2015.
S. 2068 was introduced by Senator Susan Collins (ME) on September 22, 2015.
Summary: The legislation amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to include automated fire sprinkler systems as section 179 property and classify certain automated fire sprinkler systems as 15-year property for purposes of depreciation.
- JAMES ZADROGA 9/11 HEALTH AND COMPENSATION REAUTHORIZATION ACT
S. 928 was introduced on April 14, 2015 by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (NY).
H.R. 1786 was introduced on April 14, 2015 by Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (NY-12).
Summary: The legislation provides health care and economic compensation to those suffering from illness or injury due to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, as well as to the families of those who died since the attacks from related injuries. Note: The Zadroga Act was passed into law as part of H.R. 2029, the Fiscal Year 2016 Consolidated Appropriations Act.
- SAFE BUILDING CODES INCENTIVE ACT
H.R. 1748 was introduced on April 13, 2015 by Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25).
Summary: The bill provides additional funding for post-disaster grants, under a program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, to states that adopt and enforce state-wide building codes.
- PROTECTING VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS AND EMERGENCY RESPONDERS ACT
S. 420 was introduced on February 20, 2015 by Senator Pat Toomey (PA).
H.R. 2658 was introduced on June 4, 2015 by Congressman Lou Barletta (PA-11).
Summary: The legislation ensures that volunteers are not counted as full-time employees under the shared responsibility requirements contained in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
- VOLUNTEER RESPONDER INCENTIVE PROTECTION ACT
S. 609 was introduced on February 27, 2015 by Senator Charles Schumer (NY).
H.R. 2752 was introduced on June 12, 2015 by Congressman John Larson (CT-1).
Summary: The legislation exempts from federal income tax any property tax benefit and up to $600 per year of any other type of benefit that a state or local unit of government provides to volunteer emergency responders as a recruitment or retention incentive.
- VOLUNTEER EMERGENCY SERVICES RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION ACT
S. 616 was introduced on February 27, 2015 by Senator Susan Collins (ME).
H.R. 1171 was introduced on February 27, 2015 by Congressman Peter King (NY-2).
Summary: The legislation modifies the federal tax code to make it easier for fire departments and local governments to provide recruitment and retention incentive to volunteer emergency response personnel through length of service award programs (LOSAPs).
- FEDERAL FIREFIGHTERS FAIRNESS ACT
H.R. 1035 was introduced on February 24, 2015 by Congresswoman Lois Capps (CA-24).
Summary: The legislation amends federal law to create a rebuttable presumption that heart disease, lung disease, specified cancers and infectious diseases contracted by federal firefighters are job-related and contracted in the line-of-duty for purposes of worker’s compensation and disability retirement.
- FISCAL YEAR 2015 HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS ACT
H.R. 240 was introduced by Congressman Harold Rogers (KY-5) on January 9, 2015.
Summary: The bill makes appropriations for programs and activities of the Department of Homeland Security for Fiscal Year 2015. Note: H.R. 240 was signed into law on March 4, 2015.
Don't understand the legislative process? Click here to read an in-depth description of the process.
What's the difference between authorization and appropriation? Click here for an explanation.
