Two bills recently passed in the state Senate, while another moved out of committee, would help the state’s struggling fire and EMS companies.

Assistance for Pennsylvania’s first responders — including those in Butler County — couldn’t come at a better time.

A bill introduced by Sen. Scott Hutchinson, R-21st, to restructure and enhance the Office of the State Fire Commissioner by requiring Senate confirmation of the position will now go to the Appropriations Committee, and then on to a full Senate vote.

The bill would also establish a State Fire Advisory Board that guarantees membership from all of the state’s regions.

Hutchinson’s legislation follows two Senate bills passed last week that were inspired by a Senate report analyzing how legislators can help underfunded and undermanned fire and EMS companies.

Statistics show that fire and EMS companies across the state are stretched thin in responding to emergencies due to being short-staffed.

Approximately 96 percent of the state’s firefighters are volunteers, a study by fire and EMS magazine Fire Engineering noted.

However, a generational decline of volunteer firefighters and a lack of funding to pay for full-time employees has resulted in a decline from 300,000 volunteer firefighters 40 years ago to less than 40,000 today.

County leaders and fire companies have done what they can to make up the difference — from proposing the creation of a cooperative organization between municipalities to the creation of a free citizens fire academy in Butler — but fire officials said their companies are dealing with the same amount of emergency calls as ever with diminished staff.

“Right now, the volunteer fire departments are hurting real bad,” Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Company Capt. Kip Johnston said. “I know there’s money out there for us, but it’s tough to get.”

One component of a Senate bill passed last week could be helpful for emergency responders — the expansion and extension of the Fire Company and Emergency Medical Service Grant Program through June 2024.

Part of its expansion would allow for recruitment and retention programs. Fire company chiefs have long said one of their greatest challenges is not only getting new recruits, but also keeping the ones they already have.

Although more needs to be done to beef up county fire and EMS companies, the recent Senate bills are steps in the right direction. We urge legislators to continue examining ways to help companies become fully staffed. The safety of our communities depends on it.