Legislation and Funding
As part of the FireRescue1 Legislation & Funding topic, we highlight articles that will affect the bottom line of fire department budgets and operations.
Lawmakers propose lowering the retirement age for firefighters, citing high job stress and the need to retain public safety employees amid competitive pensions in neighboring states
Milford Fire Chief Anthony Fabrizi spoke in support of legislation that seeks to regain some of what is spent training new firefighters if they leave the department
Fire service leaders must focus on data, not emotion, when make their case for funding, staffing and more
Medford firefighters claim their needs are not being addressed as the city plans to build a new police headquarters
H.B. 1293 would make an assault on an EMS provider or firefighter a class 6 felony, punishable by up to two years in prison
The truck was refurbished into a crash attenuator, which works to reduce damage at vehicle crash scenes
One bill could help cut down on firefighters’ exposure to carcinogens while another would help ease the financial burden for retired firefighters with cancer
The measure means that the spouses of first responders who died in the line of duty will have their property taxes reduced by one half
Lawmakers say the impact would be dreadful for the more than 83,000 responders and survivors who rely on the WTC Health Program
House Bill 703 would give first responders access to peer support teams and post-critical incident seminars
Tom McDonough, former chief of the Port Washington Fire Department, said the measure would generate needed revenue — and ultimately save lives
Newburgh City Manager Michael Ciaravino said he would ask the City Council to consider using more than $500,000 to temporarily save the jobs of 12 firefighters
The bill that would provide workers’ comp for first responders with PTSD passed the latest committee vote unanimously
The fire department and Public Utilities Commission have picked a design for a water supply system that can supply firefighters with large amounts of water
State Senate Bill 6413 would limit the sale of firefighting foams with polyfluoroalkyl and perfluoroalkyl chemicals, which have been found in drinking water
If passed by a two-thirds majority of Cambria residents, the resulting tax would raise approximately $378,000 a year for the firefighters
The Safe Awake alarms emit three beeps, followed by a pulsating bright strobe light while a piece of plastic placed under the resident’s bed vibrates
Responders urged state lawmakers to create a state-run program that would use peer counseling to address the emotional needs of those working
“We can’t stand idly by, and ensuring we have battery backups for garage doors is a small step that can literally save lives,” Sen. Bill Dodd said
The bill would give supervisors the right to allow their staff to carry guns on duty if they’ve completed training
Brunswick Fire Chief Randy Mobley said the starting pay of $9.29 an hour is the primary factor behind the department’s perpetual revolving door
The fire department is aware of the SCBA issues, but they must keep using them because they have no additional funds
N.C. Rep. Becky Carney said the state needs to toughen its law that requires carbon monoxide alarms inside hotels
Officials are supporting a pair of bills aimed at providing workers compensation coverage for responders with job-related PTSD
The Public Education Foundation teamed up with Macy’s to fund $50,000 in scholarships for three students seeking first responder careers
The firefighters expected to be laid off eventually due to a new plan, but officials surprised them with an earlier date than expected
Christine Jameson fought back tears as she recounted the death of her husband Kyle, which was compounded by massive bills she didn’t know how she could pay
The state budget passed in 2017 targeted savings of about $112 million, which included cutting the money for fire schools among the targeted savings of about $112 million
The Norwood Fire Department fell out of compliance for the SAFER grant after retirements and one resignation
Rep. Strom Peterson is sponsoring a bill to restrict the use of perfluorinated or polyfluorinated compounds, or PFAS, starting July 2020
The bill would provide immunity for trained police officers, firefighters and EMTs when veterinary care isn’t immediately available
Legislation would put local fire departments with EMS services on par with other ambulance providers
Here’s a breakdown of who is considered “essential” and “nonessential” during a federal government shutdown
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- Idaho bill would give first responders immunity for rescuing pets
- Bill would waive turnpike tolls for Pa. police, first responders
- Firefighters’ health at heart of Iowa city’s new fire station
- Jon Stewart lashes out at Congress over 9/11 first responders fund
- Mich. proposed legislation would allow first responders to administer EpiPens