McAdoo, Hazleton fire chiefs join Watro, Shapiro for signing of vets-to-EMTs bill
PHOTO COURTESY / MCADOO FIRE - McAdoo Fire Chief Robert Leshko, left, and Hazleton Fire Chief Don Leshko, second from left, joined Gov. Josh Shapiro, center, and Rep. Dane Watro, right from Shapiro, for the signing of House Bill 404 on Nov. 27, 2023.
HARRISBURG – The fire chiefs in McAdoo and Hazleton were among several who were on-hand as Governor Josh Shapiro signed a bill, sponsored by Rep. Dane Watro, into law.
House Bill 404, Watro says, would streamline the professional licensing process for veterans seeking a civilian emergency medical services career in Pennsylvania and passed the Senate unanimously last month.
“Veterans with medical backgrounds from their military service can be critical to assisting Pennsylvania’s EMS system with its workforce challenges,” Watro said in a media release. “In addition, we should be doing all that we can to make the transition from military life to civilian life as seamless as possible for our men and women who serve their country and Commonwealth with dedication and honor.”
Hazleton Fire Chief Don Lehsko and McAdoo Fire Chief Robert Leshko joined Shaprio, Watro, and several other veterans and medical personnel for the bill signing Monday.
Watro’s proposal, his office says, would ensure that a service member’s military education and training are taken into consideration for the purpose of fulfilling requirements for professional credentials related to emergency medical services providers, including emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics.
Current state law requires certain Commonwealth agencies to strongly consider a veteran’s military education, training and experience for the purpose of fulfilling requirements for professional credentials.
Under Watro’s bill, the Department of Health, which certifies EMTs and paramedics throughout the Commonwealth, would be added to the list. The bill would also add the Department of Agriculture, which has licensure requirements for such professions as food handlers or inspectors.
“As a freshman lawmaker and Army veteran, I am thrilled and proud that my first bill to make it to the governor is going to help my fellow veterans pursue their dream of serving our communities as medical first responders,” added Watro.
The legislation will take effect in 60 days.
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