A bill looking to help volunteer firefighters pay their education and training expenses has taken its next step towards becoming law.
Assembly Bill 187, written by Senator Andre Jacque, unanimously passed the Joint Committee on Finance earlier this week.
The measure specifically provides a stipend to cover training costs for these selfless public servants.
Municipalities may, through ordinance, provide a $250 stipend to cover training costs for volunteer firefighters, which would trigger a 100 percent match by the Wisconsin Department of Administration of up to $250.
Sen. Jacque said of the bill, “Declining recruitment can mean longer response times in rural communities that rely upon volunteer firefighters. legislation is a first step toward ensuring that Wisconsin citizens do not face greater risk in emergency situations based on where they live.”
The measure now heads before the full Senate, its final stop before the governor’s desk.
