Its time to start supporting Americas bravest volunteers

Author: Jared Fallon

One of the nation’s most prized groups of volunteers is increasingly being administratively challenged, despite the fact that they continue to risk their lives for the pure benefit of the American public. Volunteer firefighters and emergency medical services personnel truly are one of America’s most valuable assets, both in terms of bravery and economics. Unfortunately, with increasingly difficult financial times, their numbers are faltering.

“There are currently 800,000 volunteer firefighters and emergency medical services personal in the United States…” . as quoted by Senator Bernard Sanders (I-VT). At first glance, this may seem like a questionably significant number, however the economic benefit these brave citizens provide are staggering. According to findings reported in S.3676, one of Sander’s currently pending bills, “the national financial savings resulting from volunteer firefighting and emergency medical services has been calculated at more than $37,000,000,000 each year.” Yes, those figures are in billions, not millions, of dollars annually.

These brave personnel put their lives on the line year after year, emergency after emergency, and are increasingly being challenged in to continue their services for the sheer benefit of the American public. Unfortunately, according to the CATO Institute, the number of volunteer firefighters is diminishing at an increasingly rapid date. One suspected reason for the reportedly diminishing numbers is the criticized recent OSHA regulations – a series of questionable attempts that many find more successful in deterring volunteers than increasing safety. Regardless of the reason, these vital volunteers are an intricate part of the US’ public safety network, and are leading some to believe that more incentives must be created in order to retain such volunteers. Senator Sanders is one of them.

Sander’s S.3676 outlines a comprehensive plan to “support the recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters and emergency medical services personnel” in the Unites States. The proposal is not a new idea, following many local government’s actions to provide financial incentives, ranging from tuition breaks to retirement assistance packages. Senator’s strategy can be considered a multi-tier approach, allocating federal money to be distributed among local governments to then pass on the financial incentives in any form they see fit, within reason. Sander’s outlines 6 primary forms: retirement benefits, reimbursement for travel and training, health insurance assistance, life insurance, tuition or loan forgiveness, and/or tax reductions. To view Sander’s proposal, click here. Sander’s should be applauded for his efforts to ensure we keep these valuable, life-risking volunteers engaged. Despite the fact that our government continues to drive up taxes more and more, this proposal very well may be worth cutting back a pork project or two.  

Bernie Sanders, pictured below, is the longest serving independent member of the House.