To donate by check, phone, or other method, see our More Ways to Give page.
Firefighters pause for a moment of silence as they participate with first responders, victims' family members, and supporters in the 2021 Colorado 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at the Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre on September 11, 2021 in Morrison, Colorado. (Photo: Chet Strange/AFP via Getty Images)
Citing the "unprecedented challenges" in "recruiting and retaining" career and volunteer firefighters across the United States, Sen. Bernie Sanders on Monday introduced legislation aimed at tackling the staffing crisis in the essential profession.
"The difficulty in recruiting and retaining personnel is an absolute crisis."
"The difficulty in recruiting and retaining personnel is an absolute crisis that has left fire departments and the communities they protect dangerously short-staffed," Sanders (I-Vt.) said in a statement.
"There are a lot of reasons why we are where we are," he added. "But in my view, one thing is entirely clear: Our firefighters, both volunteer and paid, put their lives on the line to protect our communities, but they are not getting the proper support and resources they need and deserve. It's time for that to change."
Sanders' Firefighter Staffing and Support Act would increase available federal funding to fire departments by more than 300% to $12 billion over five years via Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grants.
Additionally, as Sanders' office outlined:
Sanders' office noted that 86% of all U.S. fire departments are categorized as all or mostly volunteer. In Vermont, the figure is 96%. Nationwide, the time donated by volunteer firefighters saves localities an estimated $46.9 billion per year.
Meanwhile, the number of volunteer firefighters in the U.S. has reached historic lows, even as call volume has tripled over the past 30 years--largely due to an increase in emergency medical calls, according to the National Volunteer Fire Council.
Sanders, who gained a reputation as an honest broker for firefighters while serving as the mayor of Burlington, Vermont in the 1980s, sat down last month for a virtual town hall meeting with members of the fire department and emergency medical services personnel in his home state.
"I'm especially concerned that in rural areas dependent on volunteers we are reaching a very challenging situation where diminished staffing is creating a situation where smaller communities may not be able to respond effectively," he said while foreshadowing the legislation he unveiled on Monday.
Trump and Musk are on an unconstitutional rampage, aiming for virtually every corner of the federal government. These two right-wing billionaires are targeting nurses, scientists, teachers, daycare providers, judges, veterans, air traffic controllers, and nuclear safety inspectors. No one is safe. The food stamps program, Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid are next. It’s an unprecedented disaster and a five-alarm fire, but there will be a reckoning. The people did not vote for this. The American people do not want this dystopian hellscape that hides behind claims of “efficiency.” Still, in reality, it is all a giveaway to corporate interests and the libertarian dreams of far-right oligarchs like Musk. Common Dreams is playing a vital role by reporting day and night on this orgy of corruption and greed, as well as what everyday people can do to organize and fight back. As a people-powered nonprofit news outlet, we cover issues the corporate media never will, but we can only continue with our readers’ support. |
Citing the "unprecedented challenges" in "recruiting and retaining" career and volunteer firefighters across the United States, Sen. Bernie Sanders on Monday introduced legislation aimed at tackling the staffing crisis in the essential profession.
"The difficulty in recruiting and retaining personnel is an absolute crisis."
"The difficulty in recruiting and retaining personnel is an absolute crisis that has left fire departments and the communities they protect dangerously short-staffed," Sanders (I-Vt.) said in a statement.
"There are a lot of reasons why we are where we are," he added. "But in my view, one thing is entirely clear: Our firefighters, both volunteer and paid, put their lives on the line to protect our communities, but they are not getting the proper support and resources they need and deserve. It's time for that to change."
Sanders' Firefighter Staffing and Support Act would increase available federal funding to fire departments by more than 300% to $12 billion over five years via Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grants.
Additionally, as Sanders' office outlined:
Sanders' office noted that 86% of all U.S. fire departments are categorized as all or mostly volunteer. In Vermont, the figure is 96%. Nationwide, the time donated by volunteer firefighters saves localities an estimated $46.9 billion per year.
Meanwhile, the number of volunteer firefighters in the U.S. has reached historic lows, even as call volume has tripled over the past 30 years--largely due to an increase in emergency medical calls, according to the National Volunteer Fire Council.
Sanders, who gained a reputation as an honest broker for firefighters while serving as the mayor of Burlington, Vermont in the 1980s, sat down last month for a virtual town hall meeting with members of the fire department and emergency medical services personnel in his home state.
"I'm especially concerned that in rural areas dependent on volunteers we are reaching a very challenging situation where diminished staffing is creating a situation where smaller communities may not be able to respond effectively," he said while foreshadowing the legislation he unveiled on Monday.
Citing the "unprecedented challenges" in "recruiting and retaining" career and volunteer firefighters across the United States, Sen. Bernie Sanders on Monday introduced legislation aimed at tackling the staffing crisis in the essential profession.
"The difficulty in recruiting and retaining personnel is an absolute crisis."
"The difficulty in recruiting and retaining personnel is an absolute crisis that has left fire departments and the communities they protect dangerously short-staffed," Sanders (I-Vt.) said in a statement.
"There are a lot of reasons why we are where we are," he added. "But in my view, one thing is entirely clear: Our firefighters, both volunteer and paid, put their lives on the line to protect our communities, but they are not getting the proper support and resources they need and deserve. It's time for that to change."
Sanders' Firefighter Staffing and Support Act would increase available federal funding to fire departments by more than 300% to $12 billion over five years via Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grants.
Additionally, as Sanders' office outlined:
Sanders' office noted that 86% of all U.S. fire departments are categorized as all or mostly volunteer. In Vermont, the figure is 96%. Nationwide, the time donated by volunteer firefighters saves localities an estimated $46.9 billion per year.
Meanwhile, the number of volunteer firefighters in the U.S. has reached historic lows, even as call volume has tripled over the past 30 years--largely due to an increase in emergency medical calls, according to the National Volunteer Fire Council.
Sanders, who gained a reputation as an honest broker for firefighters while serving as the mayor of Burlington, Vermont in the 1980s, sat down last month for a virtual town hall meeting with members of the fire department and emergency medical services personnel in his home state.
"I'm especially concerned that in rural areas dependent on volunteers we are reaching a very challenging situation where diminished staffing is creating a situation where smaller communities may not be able to respond effectively," he said while foreshadowing the legislation he unveiled on Monday.
