One last stand for volunteer fire department funding
By Ella Havard Fitzbag
May 21, 2013
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Texans and volunteer firefighters are at greater risk than ever before. Volunteer fire departments need 100% of their dedicated funds to prepare for tornadoes and other disasters, fires, emergency medical calls, roadway and other accidents.

When a tornado is sited everyone runs for safety but volunteer firefighters run to get positioned. When a metro-dweller drives outside the area served by a paid fire department, is in an accident, seriously injured and pinned inside, it will be a volunteer firefighter who cuts off the top to help.

Lt. Governor Dewhurst and Speaker Strauss can help restore VFD funding to $30,000,000 PER YEAR ($60,000,000 total) for 2014-15. VFDs need adequate firefighting vehicles and equipment, training, personal protective gear and dry hydrants. The money is already available.

Ever year $30,000,000 is collected from property insurance companies for Dedicated Account 5064 and is statutorily intended for VFD Assistance grants through A&M Forest Service. For years, the Legislature has held back funds to help make the state budget appear to be balanced, until the accumulated balance will be $91.9 million on September 1. Legislators plan to fund VFDs only $13.5-$18.5 per year (up to $36,000,000 total for 2014/15).

Not so much filters down to VFDs. In 2012, lawmakers appropriated $13,500,000 per year (of $30,000,000 per year collected) for Forest Service VFD grants. The Forest Service was allowed $6,500,000 for administration and operations, leaving $7,000,000 for VFD grants.

The Forest Service receives fire prevention funds from the state but VFDs don’t receive any of it. Over $200,000,000 is being appropriated to reimburse firefighting services and firefighters for helping with the 2011 fires.

VFDs haven’t recovered from the 2011 fires. They’re not included in the reimbursement. How much of this debt and personal loss could have been mitigated had VFDs been fully-equipped and trained?

You can help. Do it soon! Sign a petition: www.signon.org and enter the key word: Volunteer. And/or contact Lt. Governor Dewhurst (512) 463.0001 and Speaker Strauss (512.463.1000). Tell them: “Restore Volunteer Fire Department Funding to $30,000,000 PER YEAR each 2014-15 from Dedicated Account 5064 through SB1 Rider Article 3 A&M Forest Service VFD Assistance.”