Pennsylvania Act 1990-168 — FIREFIGHTERS' MEMORIAL FLAG

Act text

FIREFIGHTERS' MEMORIAL FLAG
                  Act of Dec. 7, 1990, P.L. 679, No. 168              Cl. 71
                                  AN ACT

     Providing for a flag for firefighters who have died in the line
        of duty; providing for responsibility of the Pennsylvania
        State Fire Commissioner; and making an appropriation from
        contributions.

        The General Assembly hereby enacts on behalf of all
     Commonwealth citizens this legislation to honor firefighters who
     have died in the line of duty. The provision of this flag is a
     small but important act by Commonwealth government to signify
     its thanks and recognition for the sacrifice of a life in
     service to the citizens of this Commonwealth.

        The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
     hereby enacts as follows:

     Section 1.  Firefighters' Memorial Flag.
        (a)  Establishment.--There is hereby 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."
     Section 2.  Use of flag.
        The Firefighters' Memorial Flag may be displayed over
     firefighters' memorials, 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.
     Section 3.  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 act and oversee the production,
     acquisition and distribution of the flag.
     Section 4.  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.
     Section 5.  Appropriation.
        The moneys necessary for the production, acquisition and
     distribution of the Firefighters' Memorial Flag in the first
     year shall be paid from the initial line item appropriation of
     $10,000 in the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency's budget
     appropriation with subsequent appropriations periodically
     requested as additional funds are required for this stated
     purpose to support memorializing firefighters in this
     Commonwealth. Such funds are to be allocated to a segregated
     account maintained by the State Fire Commissioner.
     Section 6.  Effective date.
        This act shall take effect in 60 days.