Sens. White, Waugh Introduce Volunteer Fire Dept. Bill

Legislation intended to improve delivery of emergency services

Working to improve the delivery of volunteer fire services in the Commonwealth, state Senators Don White, 41st District, and Mike Waugh, 28th District, recently introduced legislation to encourage mergers and partnerships among private departments.

"Numerous studies have concluded that the Commonwealth's delivery of volunteer fire services is very fragmented and inefficient," Senator White said. "Many departments have identified difficulties in recruiting new members and raising the finances necessary to continue operation. However, there is little incentive for local communities and their volunteer fire companies to consider such initiatives. Our legislation will provide incentives to those organizations that decide to merge or work together in a partnership."

Senate Bill 1236, introduced by Senators White and Waugh, would establish a grant program funded by the successful $100 million bond issue approved in 2002 for the purpose of improving the delivery of volunteer fire and emergency services within the Commonwealth. The legislation has strong bi-partisan support with 21 co-sponsors in addition to Senator White, the prime sponsor, and Senator Waugh, the primary co-sponsor.

Currently, volunteer emergency service organizations have limited sources of grants and loans, such as the Community Revitalization Program, the Emergency Responders Resources and Training Program, the Volunteer Fire Grant, the 2% Loan Program, and Relief Association distributions.

"Our proposed legislation will outline a new program with funding made available by direct application from emergency service organizations, provided certain criteria are met. Grants will be available to private, non-profit volunteer fire companies/departments or EMS organizations and local governments applying on behalf of the fire companies," Senator Waugh said.

The maximum grants in the legislation would include the following:

$100,000 for each finalized merger, consolidation or regional entity created. $50,000 for each company involved in a merged, consolidated or regionalized entity.
$20,000 for creation of each new association of emergency service organizations.
$50,000 for each new company absorbed into, or added to, an existing merged, consolidated or regional entity.
$20,000 maximum for design, creation and delivery of communication or education programs designed to recruit and retain members. Funds awarded under these conditions are restricted to this activity and may not be used for other purposes.