Bill to Aid Ambulance Companies, Recognize 911 Telecommunicators Heads to Governor’s Desk, Causer Says
With staffing challenges continuing to plague rural ambulance services in the Commonwealth, the state House today approved legislation to extend a regulatory exception that allows those services to continue tending to patients in need, said Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter).
House Bill 453 would extend for another five years the exception that allows basic life support ambulances to transport patients with a minimum of one emergency medical services vehicle operator (EMSVO) and one EMS provider licensed at the emergency medical technician (EMT) level or above.
“When lives are at stake, we can’t allow government regulations to get in the way,” Causer said. “By easing staffing requirements, we make it a little easier for our EMS responders to help patients get the life-saving care they need.”
The current law establishing the staffing exception, Act 72 of 2022, is set to expire on April 29, 2027. Under the bill approved today by the House, it would be extended to April 29, 2032.
Causer said House Bill 453 also provides much-deserved recognition to 911 telecommunicators by specifically designating them as emergency responders under the law.
“Telecommunicators truly are the ‘first’ first responders as they gather vital information and communicate it clearly to police, fire and ambulance crews, often while also giving life-saving direction over the phone to patients or their loved ones in high-stress situations,” Causer said. “I’m glad to see these dedicated men and women get the recognition they deserve.”
Causer has long been an advocate for the Commonwealth’s first responders, having previously served as a 911 dispatcher/telecommunicator and police officer, and currently as a volunteer EMT.
Watch additional comments from Rep. Causer here:
