| Hartford, CT – State Senator
Robert D. Russo (R-22) and State Representative T.R. Rowe
(R-123) today hailed passage of legislation that will
allow Trumbull residents who are employed as paid firefighters
in Bridgeport and other municipalities to also serve as
volunteer firefighters in their hometown.
House Bill 5646, An Act Concerning Volunteer Service
by Paid Emergency Personnel or Paid Firefighters, prohibits
municipal firefighter contracts from banning paid firefighters
from also serving in volunteer fire companies in the
communities where they live. The bill passed the House
of Representatives on April 17th and the Senate on May
4th. It now heads to Governor Rell’s desk where
it is expected to be signed into law.
“Volunteer fire departments are often the training
ground where our cities’ paid firefighters learn
their trade. Many of these paid firefighters want to
give something back by volunteering their time, skills
and expertise to help strengthen their hometown fire
departments. This law will make sure they always have
that opportunity,” said Senator Russo. “Firefighting
requires a rare courage and selfless sense of duty.
We are fortunate to have off-duty paid firefighters
who are willing to put those traits to work for their
hometowns.”
“Trumbull is blessed with a superb volunteer
fire department. We also have a number of excellent
professional firefighters living in town but working
elsewhere who will now be able to volunteer for our
town,” said Representative Rowe.
The Town of Trumbull has an entirely volunteer firefighting
force.
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