Legislation proposed by Sen. Michele Brooks to reopen the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program to help pay for fire trucks and firefighting equipment makes sense – but only if the state isn’t going to move forward with a proposed $30 million program that has been backed by Rep. Jim Haddock and Gov. Josh Shapiro.

Fire trucks and firefighting equipment had previously been eligible to receive RACP funding, as long as the request for assistance did not exceed $50,000. This was removed from the definition of Redevelopment Assistance Capital Project in 2013. Sen. Michele Brooks, R-Greenville, is circulating a co-sponsorship memorandum that would reverse a 2013 change. Requests for assistance would not be able to be more than $150,000, and the total purchase/project cost would have to be at least $300,000.

That’s a project worth supporting, in our opinion, if nothing else changes. We say that because last week the state House of Representatives passed House Bill 2446 to create a $30 million Fire Company Transformational Grant Program. Eligible fire companies would include municipal, volunteer, and combination companies. Grants would support equipment, facilities, staffing, and recruitment efforts. The program would encourage regionalization through higher funding caps. Through the $30 million program, single departments would qualify for grants between $100,000 and $1 million, while combined departments would be eligible for grants between $250,000 and $2.5 million. The competitive grant program would be administered by the Office of the State Fire Commissioner. Haddock’s bill now moves to the state Senate for approval.

Both proposals show a recognition that volunteer fire departments need the state’s help purchasing big ticket items. One or the other should become law – but likely not both. Brooks’ bill reopens a prior funding stream, but doesn’t appear to increase funding to that program. That could limit its effectiveness, but does provide an alternative if senators balk at the price tag of Haddock’s grant program. Either way, the programs are a sign that Republicans and Democrats agree there is a problem that needs to be solved. A solution needs to be chosen now, not years down the road.