Alabama
Name: House Bill 25
Description: Volunteer fire departments, expenditure of funds for equipment and supplies, payment of mileage for volunteer fire depts to and from fire calls
Name: House Bill 329
Description: Retirement System, firefighters, law enforcement officers, and correctional officers, hazardous duty time, removing the time limit for purchasing for prior eligible service, Sec. 36-27-59 am’d.
Name: Senate Bill 86
Description: Volunteer Firefighter motor vehicles, authorized volunteer firefighter vehicles, authorized to be equipped with emergency lights, certain operating privileges, provided, Sec. 32-5A-7.1 added.
Name: House Bill 190
Description: Emergency medical services, declared to be for a public purpose
Name: House Bill 45
Description: An Act relating to presumption of compensability for workers’ compensation claims related to contagious diseases; and providing for an effective date. Essentially makes front line workers, like Firefighters and EMS workers eligible for worker’s compensation should they get COVID-19.
Arizona
Name: House Bill 2506
Description: Extends presumptive occupational diseases to fire investigators and adds two cancers to the list of presumptive occupational diseases for firefighters. Allows insurers to file one uniform percentage deviation associated with firefighters and investigators.
Call To Action: Contact members of the Arizona Senate. Here.
Name: House Bill 2609
Description: Ambulance services; certificates of necessit
Name: Senate Bill 1515
Description: Municipal firefighters; cancer fund; distributions
California
Name: Senate Bill 1062
Description: The Fixing the Firefighter Shortage Act of 2022: An act to add Article 5.5 (commencing with Section 4160) to Chapter 1 of Part 2 of Division 4 of, and to repeal Section 4161 of, the Public Resources Code, relating to fire protection.
Name: ACR 192
Description: Firefighter Mental Health Awareness Week
Name: Senate Bill 1022
Description: Emergency medical services: certifying examination.
Colorado
Connecticut
Name: Senate Bill 5666
Description: To require the State Fire Administrator to issue grants to distressed municipalities for the training of volunteer firefighters.
Call To Action: Contact members of the Connecticut State House. Here.
Name: House Bill 5189
Description: An Act Increasing Funding For And Expanding The Allowable Uses Of Grants To Distressed Municipalities For Volunteer Firefighter Training.
Name: House Bill 5251
Description: An Act Concerning Workers’ Compensation For Dispatchers: To provide dispatchers with portal-to-portal workers’ compensation coverage.
Delaware
Name: House Bill 93
Description: An Act To Amend Title 16 Of The Delaware Code Relating To The Jurisdiction Of The Delaware State Fire Prevention Commission: This bill seeks to provide the State Fire Commission with the authority to hear and resolve disputes filed by members of the public or fire companies with respect to firefighting activities by individual firefighters and fire companies. The Commission may utilize existing regulations to hear such disputes or many promulgate additional regulations consistent and in furtherance of this subsection. This bill also authorizes the Commission and its staff to investigate fires where firefighters are injured and to issue investigative reports detailing findings and conclusions. Finally, the bill provides immunity to the Commission and its staff for activity authorized by this section.
Name: Senate Bill 63
Description: An Act To Amend Title 16 Of The Delaware Code Relating To Firefighting: This Act limits the use of certain Class B firefighting foams (Class B foams) in Delaware. Class B foams are used to put out fires caused by flammable liquids like gasoline, oil, and jet fuel, and can be divided into 2 categories: those with PFAS chemicals and those without.
Name: House Bill 413
Description: An Act To Amend Title 21 Of The Delaware Code Relating To Motor Vehicles: This Bill requires motor vehicle insurance policies, under the personal injury protection provisions (PIP), to provide coverage for up to $650 for any 1 person extricated and $1200 for all persons extricated in any 1 accident by an emergency medical services vehicle. Emergency medical services vehicle is a vehicle duly licensed in Delaware that uses rescue tools used by emergency rescue personnel to extricate the injured person from a vehicle. The Act also requires the Insurance Commissioner to develop a uniform billing form for reimbursement and that volunteer fire and ambulance companies submit financial reports regarding expenses incurred in the use of rescue tools to the State Fire Prevention Commission.
Federal
Name: S. 138
Description: Wildland Firefighter Fair Pay Act: Exempts federal wildland firefighters in the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture from certain premium pay limitations for work relating to wildfire emergencies. The bill applies retroactively to January 1, 2020.
Name: S.1116
Description: Federal Firefighters Fairness Act of 2021: A bill to amend chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code, to create a presumption that a disability or death of a Federal employee in fire protection activities caused by any of certain diseases is the result of the performance of such employees duty, and for other purposes.
Name: S.2971
Description: EMS Counts Act of 2021: A bill to require the Secretary of Labor to revise the Standard Occupational Classification System to accurately count the number of emergency medical services practitioners in the United States.
Name: HR 2586
Description: Fire Fighters and EMS Employer-Employee Cooperation Act: To provide collective bargaining rights for fire fighters and emergency medical services personnel employed by States or their political subdivisions, and for other purposes.
Name: S.3910
Description: EMS Staffing and Support Act: A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to establish a funding program for supporting EMS organizations, and for other purposes.
Georgia
Name: Senate Bill 352
Description: Professions; issuance of expedited licenses by endorsement for certain licenses to spouses of firefighters, healthcare providers, and law enforcement officers who relocate to the State of Georgia; provide
Illinois
Name: Senate Bill 3027
Description: Inc tax Firefighters – EMS: Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax credit in an amount equal to $500 for individuals who serve as volunteer emergency workers for or on behalf of a volunteer fire protection association. Effective immediately.
Name: House Bill 5171
Description: Amends the Firefighters’ Pension Investment Fund Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that the candidate receiving the highest number of votes who is from a fire protection district shall be elected if the candidate or candidates who are mayors, presidents, chief executive officers, chief financial officers, or other officers, executives, or department heads of municipalities or fire protection districts receiving the highest number of votes would result in there being no trustee who is from a fire protection district. Effective immediately
Indiana
Name: Senate Bill 0279
Description: Distribution of revenue for public safety purposes.
Name: Senate Bill 212
Description: Protection of firefighter’s residential address: Protection of firefighter’s residential address. Adds firefighters to the list of persons whose residential addresses may be restricted on a public property data base Internet web site operated by a unit.
Name: House Bill 025
Description: Recognizing 86 volunteer firefighters with 50 years of service to fire departments across Indiana.
Iowa
Name: Senate Bill 447
Description: A bill for an act relating to the individual income tax credits for fire fighters, emergency medical services personnel members, and reserve peace officers by increasing the amounts of the credits, and including retroactive applicability provisions.
Call To Action: Contact members of the Iowa Senate Commitee on Ways and Means. Here.
Name: Senate Bill 2277
Description: A bill for an act relating to certain emergency services provided by a city.(Formerly SF 2227.)
Name: House Bill 2574
Description: A bill for an act authorizing length of service award programs for volunteer fire fighters, volunteer emergency medical care providers, and reserve peace officers, and making appropriations. (Formerly HF 750, HSB 197.)
Name: House Bill 562
Description: A bill for an act relating to funding emergency medical services by modifying provisions relating to city emergency medical services districts, benefited emergency medical services districts, and optional taxes for emergency medical services.(Formerly HSB 186.)
Kansas
Name: Senate Bill 2415
Description: Providing the state fire marshal with law enforcement powers and requiring an investigation of deaths resulting from fire.
Call To Action: Contact members of the Kansas State House. Here.
Kentucky
Name: House Bill 648
Description: AN ACT relating to a tax deduction for volunteer fire fighters.
Louisiana
Name: Will New Orleans Firefighters See Funds From American Rescue Plan Act?
Description: The city of New Orleans has been forced to take out a line of credit to avoid emergency medical responder layoffs. Advocate for New Orleans firefighters now! President Biden will soon sign into law a bill to provide states with funds to offset lost tax revenue. Ensure adequate funds are allocated to emergency services to prevent future layoffs and enable the department to be staffed sufficiently so that first responders can do their jobs not only well, but safely.
Call to Action: Firefighters and EMS Fund urges the residents of New Orleans to reach out to local representatives and inquire about whether or not New Orleans firefighters will see funds from the American Rescue Plan and whether these funds will be used to keep New Orleans Firefighters working!
Name: SB 80
Description: Increases the amount of supplemental pay for eligible law enforcement and fire service employees.
Name: HB 505
Description: Provides with respect to certified ambulance operators.
Maine
Name: LD 1504
Description: An Act To Enhance Use of Critical Incident Stress Management Teams for Firefighters
Call To Action: Contact members of the Maine Joint Criminal Justice And Public Safety Committee here.
Maryland
Name: HB 1109
Description: First Responders and Emergency Responders – Definition – 9-1-1 Dispatchers Included: Including employees who receive and process requests for emergency services and dispatch certain services to the scene of an emergency within the definitions of “first responder” and “emergency responder” in certain provisions of law.
Name: SB 515
Description: State Emergency Medical Services Board – Park Services Associates – Certification as Emergency Medical Responders
Massachusetts
Name: SB 1576
Description: Relative to the reduction of certain toxic chemicals in firefighter personal protective equipment: For legislation to reduce certain toxic chemicals in firefighter personal protective equipment. Public Safety and Homeland Security.
Name: HB 2702
Description: Clarifying call firefighter rights: Relative to including call firefighter in the public employee retirement law. Public Service.
Name: SB 1443
Description: Relative to volunteer ambulance service: For legislation relative to volunteer ambulance service. Public Health.
Name: SB 1168
Description: Relative to compensation for paramedics and emergency medical technicians providing ambulance services during the COVID-19 Massachusetts state of emergency: For legislation relative to compensation for paramedics and emergency medical technicians providing ambulance services during the COVID-19 Massachusetts state of emergency. Labor and Workforce Development.
Minnesota
Name: HF 68
Description: A bill that would increase the levy amount for special fire taxes.
Call To Action: Contact members of the Minesota House Commitee on Property Tax here.
New Jersey
Name: SB 2743
Description: Mandates access to periodic cancer screening examinations for professional firefighters not enrolled in SHBP; makes appropriation.
Name: SB 296
Description: Mandates access to cancer screenings for firefighters through health care benefits plan or program provided by the public employer.
Name: SB 1697
Description: Allows certain volunteer firefighters, rescue and first aid squad members to claim $5,000 income tax deduction.
Name: SB 2837
Description: Provides tuition-free credits to certain institutions of higher education for certain law enforcement officers and firefighters and their spouses and dependents.
Name: SB 918
Description: “Assistance to Firefighters’ Families Act”; doubles pension amounts for beneficiaries of certain deceased volunteer emergency service providers; provides for burial expenses and adjusts life insurance coverage for volunteer firefighters; permits fire code inspection surcharge.
Name: SB 1367
Description: Allows a member of PFRS who is police chief and fire department chief to serve until age 67 under certain conditions.
Name: AB 469
Description: Enters New Jersey into Emergency Medical Services Personnel Licensure Interstate Compact.
New York
Name: SB 8658
Description: Relates to the submission date for a report relating to volunteer firefighter recruitment and retention and to the effectiveness of certain provisions relating there to.
Name: SB 9316
Description: Exempts the Ardsley Volunteer Fire Department from the requirement that the percentage of non-resident fire department members not exceed forty-five percent of the membership.
Pennsylvania
Name: Senate Bill 245
Description: An Act providing for counties and municipalities to distribute emergency funds to fire companies during the COVID-19 pandemic and for distribution and receipt of funds. Also known as the COVID-19 Emergency Relief for Fire Companies Act.
Call To Action: Contact members of the Pennsalvania Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Commitee. Here.
Name: HB 2097
Description: In emergency medical services system, further providing for basic life support ambulances.
Name: HB 1853
Description: An Act amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for reimbursements for physical examinations of firefighters; and establishing the Firefighter Physical Examination Reimbursement Fund.
Name: HB 1166
Description: An Act prohibiting the use of certain class B firefighting foams under certain circumstances; and imposing powers and duties on the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and the State Fire Commissioner.
Name: HB 2523
Description: In grants to fire companies and emergency medical services companies, establishing the Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant Program in the Office of State Fire Commissioner and the Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant Fund.
Name: SB 83
Description: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in terms and courses of study, further providing for firefighter and emergency service training and establishing the Fire Training Fund.
Name: SB 454
Description: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, providing for volunteer firefighter tax credit.
Name: SB 1189
Description:In emergency COVID-19 response, providing for reimbursement payment for certification as emergency medical services personnel and establishing the Emergency Medical Services Certification Program.
Texas
Name: House Bill 3841
Description: Relating to the adjustment of the voter-approval tax rate of a taxing unit to reflect public spending necessary to correct a deficiency in the first response capacity of a fire or police department of the taxing unit.
Call To Action: Contact members of the Texas State House Ways and Means Commitee here.
Name: HB 2242
Description: Relating to illness or injury leave of absence for county and municipal firefighters, police officers, and emergency medical services personnel.
Name: SB 999
Description: Relating to consumer protections against and county and municipal authority regarding certain medical and health care billing by ambulance service providers.
Washington
Name: House Bill 1479
Description: Providing a sales and use tax exemption for fire department apparatus that contain or incorporate emissions or fuel reduction technology.
Call To Action: Contact members of the Washington State House Finance Commitee. Here.
West Virginia
Name: House Bill 2051
Description: West Virginia Lawmaker Chad Lovejoy has reintroduced a bill for the fourth time that would allow first responders who are diagnosed with PTSD as a result of their service to receive workers compensation.
Call To Action: Call Representative Lovejoy to thank them for their dedication to West Virginia firefighters and urge them to keep up the fight. Reach out to Rep. Lovejoy’s colleagues and urge them to lend their support to this initiative. All public servants deserve to be compensated for the sacrifices they have made to be there for each of us when we are at our worst.
Representative Lovejoy’s Office Contact
West Virginia Senate
West Virginia House of Representatives
Missouri
Name: Board Bill 221
Description: The bill’s sponsor, Alderman Tom Oldenburg, said it simply moves oversight of a pension plan established a few years ago for younger firefighters and new hires to the decades-old board that still runs a separate system for veteran firefighters.
Call to Action: Contact the St. Louis Mayor and urge them to strongly reconsider their position. The fire services profession is currently at a crossroads, and evidence that the profession is struggling to retain strong candidates to perform this essential service is beginning to show. Now is the time to work for increasing pay and benefits across the board to future proof the field.
