Pennsylvania is losing its volunteer firefighters in bunches.

A Fire & EMS Commission Report released last year found the number of firefighters statewide dropped from about 300,000 in the 1970s to about 35,000 today. More than 90 percent of the state’s 2,400 fire companies are volunteer-based.

Not only does the state have fewer volunteer firefighters — they’re getting older. The average age of a volunteer firefighter in the state is 48.

To stem the tide of declining membership and to award volunteers, the state House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee approved legislation last week to expand the use of relief money for volunteer firefighters.

The bill, which will head to the House in October will forgive up to $16,000 in student loans for college graduates who serve at least four years with either a volunteer fire company, volunteer rescue company or an emergency medical services agency.

“It sounds like a win-win for volunteer fire companies,” said Marci Mustello, R-11th, of Butler.

Recruitment and retention are the biggest challenges facing volunteer fire departments, said Rep. Steve Barrar, R-Delaware, a Fire & EMS Commission member who also chairs the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee.

Barrar said a college tuition incentive also might help attract more young people into the system.

Rob McLafferty, chief of the Herman Volunteer Fire Company, agreed the incentive would be a boost to recruitment and retention.

In rural Pennsylvania, volunteer firefighters are typically the first responders to fires and other emergencies. Without sufficient active volunteers, rural fire companies may not be able to continue to provide fire service, and rural Pennsylvania may need to consider paid service as the only viable option for fire services.

Although it might not sound like much, forgiving student loans offers incentive and some acknowledgment for volunteer firefighters, rescue personnel and emergency medical providers who risk their health and safety to help others.