Bill would provide comp coverage to volunteer firefighters

The Pennsylvania Senate unanimously approved a bill on Monday that would consider volunteer firefighters and other volunteer rescue personnel employees eligible for workers compensation if they are injured while performing their duties.

Bipartisan bill S.B. 94, sponsored by Republican Sen. Camera Bartolotta, would amend the state’s Workers Compensation Act to define volunteer fire department, ambulance corps, and rescue and lifesaving squad members who are injured in the performance of their duties to be considered employees for the purposes of workers compensation.  

Under the legislation, both volunteer first responders and operational support volunteers of a fire department or fire company who conduct support activity on a regular basis may be included under the municipality’s workers compensation insurance program.

The legislation will take effect immediately if signed into law.