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.
Kissimmee’s transition from 24/48 shifts includes a two-phase hiring plan for 49 firefighters by April 2026, funded by a new property-based fire assessment
The bill increases the SALT deduction cap from $10,000 to $40,400; it also creates a deduction for income taxes paid on OT earnings for individuals making under $160,000 per year
With a busy Atlantic hurricane season expected, lawmakers are raising concerns about emergency readiness and public safety
She has paid for needed equipment and protective gear and hopes her actions will lead others to help struggling volunteer departments
Fire crews had to wait for several minutes for engines from other stations to arrive
Wis. Supreme Court set precedent by ruling that a volunteer firefighter did not have government immunity when he went through a red light and was struck by another vehicle
The town agreed to pay two consultants at the same meeting it laid off its firefighters over budget woes
The blueprint calls for staffing changes that would save the department more than $1 million while increasing coverage throughout the county
The union also agreed to move to a less expensive health insurance plan, which will offset the city’s cost somewhat
The money came from shifting cuts in other departments and the revenue to the city being higher than projected
The administration wants to cut 31 percent from the fire-prevention budget
The city council may choose to ignore the governor’s order to eliminate residency requirements for emergency personnel
This powerful documentary can give non-firefighters a jarring look into the firefighting life
Since 2012, 140 firefighters have retired and not been replaced; more retirements could further cripple an already struggling department
The McCoole Volunteer Fire Department ended up with nearly $1 million in debt and its fire station in foreclosure
Daytime incidents are especially hard to cover with most volunteers at work during those hours
The tax credit would reimburse out-of-pocket expenses such as gas for personal vehicle use, training clothing and other equipment
The union believes having an exemption is quicker and easier than fighting another legal battle
Officials in Leonia, N.J., are extremely lucky there were no life-or-death emergencies when they shuttered their fire department
Firefighters’ starting pay would be bumped from $32,884 to $46,305, bringing the city more in line with other agencies
Federal firefighting officials say there is no question the program prevents some fires and makes others less dangerous to homeowners and firefighters alike
The law will remove liability for volunteer firefighters in the state on all calls and not just when responding to fire
Firefighter James Parsons III was looking for a creative way to raise money for the department when he came across the idea of a groundhog hunt to help local farmers
They’re also banned from making donations to political parties and political action committees
Texas lawmakers need to honor the financial commitment they made to firefighters
The slow economic recovery and the delay in tax revenue means continued financial pain for many fire departments, but there are ways to minimize the damage
Mayor Nutter had earlier vetoed a bill that would force him to earmark $66 million toward the firefighters award
The plan would hit each department for a $2 per-resident fee annually
A letter soliciting donations was sent by a department that is no longer contracted to provide fire protection
The agency also will have less equipment than last year
If it stands, the ruling means firefighters with less than 20 years of service will see reduced benefits
Robert Wolfe works as janitor in the Pine Grove Area School District and volunteers with the Pine Grove Fire Department