Butler County Community College’s announcement this week that federal financial aid will be applicable to an emergency medical technician certification preparation course — which debuts this fall within a two-year career program — that could help those aiming to be first responders is great news.

Anything that can help persuade those considering a career as an EMS worker to do so is a good thing. In recent years, Pennsylvania has seen its number of firefighters, EMS workers and other first responders drop considerably.

Earlier this year, the state Senate passed a bill to expand and extend the Fire Company and Emergency Medical Service Grant Program through June 2024. Part of the expansion would allow for recruitment and retention programs.

BC3’s program and the financial aid that could be used toward it are another great way to encourage young people to consider an EMS career.

State fire and EMS companies have long reported they are stretched dangerously thin when it comes to responding to emergencies. Often, the shortage of EMS workers leads to delayed response times, which can be perilous in emergency situations.

The shortage is due to a generational decline as a result of a lack of volunteers and adequate funding to pay full-time workers. In some counties, a large majority of EMS workers are volunteers.

We hope BC3’s program and initiatives being pursued in the state legislature help lead to an increase in the number of the state’s EMS workers.

BC3’s emergency services-EMS associate degree program requires EMT certification for students who go on to work as front-line personnel in pre-hospital and clinical environments.

Previously, BC3 students pursued certification preparation through noncredit courses, which are typically ineligible for federal financial aid.

The students’ preparation course for their EMT certification will now be eligible for financial aid. Those who pass the course will get six credits, while those who become certified by the state as an EMT will get an additional credit.

And financial aid is also available for other courses — such as medical law and ethics and medical terminology — that students are required to complete before they enroll in the certification course.

There are certain services that communities cannot do without — and having an adequate amount of EMS workers is one of them. We’re glad to hear that BC3 students eyeing EMS as a career will be able to get a financial incentive to pursue that path.