Working Together......

Gates Fire District & Gates-Chili Fire Department, Inc.

William A. Gillette, Chairman Board of Fire Commissioners

Matthew Cunningham, Fire Commissioner

James W. Harrington, Fire Chief

William Wright, Chairman Board of Directors

Scott Salvia, Director

Joseph Manuse, Assistant Chief Company 2

Picture with

 CONGRESSMAN JOHN R. "RANDY" KUHL, JR.
New York's 29th Congressional District

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 29, 2007

KUHL BILL WILL HELP VOLUNTEER FIRST RESPONDERS

Bill protects jobs of volunteers when called for national emergencies

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative John R. “Randy” Kuhl, Jr. (R-Hammondsport), with several colleagues today introduced the Volunteer Firefighter and EMS Personnel Job Protection Act.  The bill protects the jobs of volunteer first responders who respond to Presidentially-declared disasters.

“Volunteer firefighters serve our communities every day with distinction,” said Rep. Kuhl.  “But sometimes they are called away for larger national disasters, such as with 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina, to help the nation.  Just like members of the National Guard and Reserve, it’s critical that volunteers be allowed to serve the nation in times of crisis with the assurance that their jobs are safe at home.”

            Concerned about the ability of volunteer firefighters to ably respond to a "Presidentially-declared disaster," such as Hurricane Katrina, Rep. Kuhl and a bipartisan group of House Members introduced the legislation to ensure their jobs are protected while serving our nation. 

            Rep. Kuhl joined Reps. Rob Andrews (D-NJ), Mike Castle (R-DE), and Bill Pascrell (D-NJ), all members of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, for a press conference with the National Volunteer Fire Council, the International Association of Fire Chiefs, and firefighters from their respective states at 1:00 p.m. to unveil this legislation.  Rep. Kuhl was joined by a contingent of firefighters from the Town of Gates in Monroe County.

            Volunteer firefighters comprise nearly 75% of the nation's fire service and their assistance is crucial in natural or man-made disasters such as a terrorist attack. The protection offered in this legislation would be similar to job protections given to members of the National Guard who are called up for service.