We were recently made aware that 10 EMS companies were authorized by the Office of the State Fire Commissioner to receive a Fire Company and EMS Grant award, but then shortly after were informed that they would not receive the funding. In the 50th Senatorial District (Sen. Brooks), there is a company that feels they do qualify, were approved and sent their paperwork, and then received notification that they don’t qualify. The Office of State Fire Commissioner approved the award of these funds, and then re-evaluated and deemed the company ineligible. This has caused confusion and stress to these companies as they have already made plans for the funding they were told they were receiving.

This legislation would simply state that these companies must receive the funds that the Office of State Fire Commissioner already authorized and promised to them for this current award cycle. It is unfair to penalize them due to this lack of clarity and confusion. Next year, unless this issue is resolved, their funding would be forfeited.

We hope you will join us in this effort to support these companies.

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 0515: 35-7823