Rep. Jerry Knowles (R-Berks/Schuylkill) will host an Emergency Services seminar from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 5, at the New Ringgold Fire Company.

"We are blessed to have a number of highly skilled and dedicated individuals in our area who volunteer their time and efforts to protect our communities during fires, accidents, natural disasters, and other emergencies," Knowles said. "Too often we take the services of our firefighters and emergency services personnel for granted until disaster strikes."Guest speakers at the seminar include Pennsylvania Fire Commissioner Edward Mann; Sean Harris, research analyst for the Pennsylvania House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee; Joseph W. Schmider, director of the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services; and Schuylkill County Emergency Management Coordinator Art Kaplan.While the event is geared toward volunteers from the 124th Legislative District, volunteers from other areas and the public are welcome. Light refreshments will be served. Residents are encouraged to call Knowles' Tamaqua office at (570) 668-1240 if they plan to attend.