PENNSYLVANIA, May 20 - response organization from an obligation or commitment to

respond to a dispatch from a public safety answering point or

mutual aid system, or invoice and receive payment from an

appropriate party for the services rendered.

(d) Rates and other charges.--In addition to any other power

of an authority to fix, alter, charge and collect rates and

other charges in the area served by its facilities, a public

safety authority may fix, alter, charge and collect rates and

other charges for the services the authority provides, which

rates and charges shall be reasonable and uniform.

(e) Existing authorities.--Notwithstanding any provision of

this section, an authority that provides public safety services

in existence on the effective date of this section shall be

permitted to continue operation , without limitation, as a public

safety project as provided under this section .

(f) Duties of Department of Community and Economic

Development.--The Department of Community and Economic

Development, in consultation with the State Fire Commissioner in

relation to fire authorities and the Director of the Bureau of

Emergency Medical Services of the Department of Health in

relation to emergency medical services authorities, shall:

(1) Work with relevant stakeholders to develop guidance

and assistance for counties to create public safety

authorities under this section.

(2) Contract with educational and technical assistance

providers to aid counties in starting and operating public

safety authorities.

(g) Municipal authorization.--Municipalities representing at

least 51% of a county's population or 40% of the total number of

municipalities in a county may create a joint public safety

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