Current through Pa Acts 2024-53, 2024-56 through 2024-95
Section 7711 - Firefighters' Memorial Flag(a) Establishment.--There is established a Firefighters' Memorial Flag for this Commonwealth.(b) Description.--The flag established in subsection (a) shall be a field of blue with a gold keystone in the center which surrounds a Maltese cross, and, at the bottom of the blue field, in gold capital letters, there is shown the phrase, "Lest We Forget."(c) Use of flag.--The Firefighters' Memorial Flag may be displayed over firefighters' memorials, during firefighter funeral processions and from the poles of any public ground or political subdivision for a period of not more than seven days after the death of a firefighter and as further directed by the Pennsylvania State Fire Commissioner.(d) Agency responsibility.--The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, through the Office of the Pennsylvania State Fire Commissioner, shall maintain the official flag and have the responsibility to implement the provisions of this section and oversee the production, acquisition and distribution of the flag.(e) Limitation.--Authorized utilization of the Firefighters' Memorial Flag by the Commonwealth or an entity thereof shall not constitute a presumption of eligibility nor be permissible as substantiating evidence for claims filed under the act of June 24, 1976 (P.L. 424, No. 101) , referred to as the Emergency and Law Enforcement Personnel Death Benefits Act.(f) Appropriation.--The moneys necessary for the production, acquisition and distribution of the Firefighters' Memorial Flag in the first year shall be paid from period appropriations from the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency's budget as funds are required to support memorializing firefighters in this Commonwealth. Such funds are to be allocated to a segregated account maintained by the State Fire Commissioner.2010, Nov. 23, P.L. 1181, No. 118, §5, effective in 60 days [ 1/24/2011].