The House voted 104-94 in favor of a bill that would put a tax of 39 cents on each 1,000 cubic feet of gas extracted in the state. But Senate Republicans said the tax rate is too high and the House bill doesn't devote enough money to communities in the Marcellus Shale region.

While natural gas drilling continues to increase in the state, officials are also seeing a rise in emergencies at drilling sites. In response, emergency and industry officials are teaming up to make sure all first responders are prepared.

Wednesday, the first natural gas well was being drilled in Bedford County and a training program will be held Wednesday night. The Well Site Emergency First Responder program will serve as a model for others in every county across the state.

Bedford County Emergency Management Agency Director Dave Cubbison said 911 centers across the state and locally have been flooded with calls from gas wells. Though most are small problems, there have been bigger issues like an explosion earlier this year in Clearfield County. Cubbison said the first step is to help emergency crews know what they're walking into.

"The first step is actually the anatomy of the well, how well they rig it up, rig it down and how they make the site complete," said Cubbison.

Among other training, he said crews will learn about how to respond to crushing injuries, slips, trips and falls Then, the State Fire Academy will show fire, emergency and police crews how to rescue people in danger and how to clean up the aftermath.

With the drilling, there is also more truck traffic on the roads and more people are moving in, which is an equation for more emergencies. In Bedford County alone, Cubbison said he anticipates a 10 percent increase in calls, and that's just the beginning.

"It's very important to get this training out to the people who need it. Right now, before anything happens," he said.

Emergency responders are anxious about how they'll handle all of the calls. Even though the State Fire Academy wanted to cap the number of attendees at 30, 70 people were signed up for Thursday night's class.

Previous Stories: September 23, 2010: Officials Continue Push For Marcellus Shale Drilling Tax September 21, 2010: Residents Concerned Natural Gas Drilling Is Contaminating Water September 21, 2010: Pa. Republicans Want State To Be Leader In Natural Gas Industry