State senators will be considering a bill that hopes to address issues with Emergency Medical Service staffing shortages.
Under the bill, EMS drivers would not be required to have the certification which is currently required of them. Sen. Michelle Brooks represents a part of Mercer County and says this bill could help provide staff to EMS agencies.
“The numbers of our EMS are dwindling, so this legislation is introduced to help those associations or agencies where there are folks who just want to drive, this removes some of the burdens of the training,” Brooks said.
Senator Pam Iovino of Allegheny County however disagreed with the bill citing that it lowers the standards to join EMS crews.
The bill was advanced by the senate’s Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee by a 7-4 vote.
