Members of the state house are continuing to work on a package of bills that will help local fire departments and ambulance services.
The package of bills has been named the Helpers and Heroes package and addresses some of the major problems with retaining volunteers and recruiting new volunteers. Reports say that most companies have lost three-quarters of their volunteer force.
The package of bills would provide an exemption from the realty transfer tax for transfers of real estate from the surviving spouse or minor child of a first responder within five years of the first responder’s death, creating the emergency responder mental wellness and stress management program to be funded by increases in traffic violation fines and accelerated rehabilitative disposition fines, reauthorize the Fire and EMS Grant program and expand the list of eligible uses, and create the Tuition Assistance for Active Volunteers Program.
State House member Jim Struzzi, who created the Tuition Assistance program, said he was proud to be part of the Helpers and Heroes package, and said the whole package is important for first responders.
One part of the package of bills has not been passed by the state house. That bill would reform the Office of the State Fire Commissioner by creating a State Fire Commission while consolidating and expanding the duties under the office’s authority.
