Press release from State Rep. Randy Frye

State Rep. Randy Frye (R-Greensburg)

(Indianapolis, Ind.) - State Representative Randy Frye (R-Greensburg) authored House Bill (HB) 1325 which deals with mobile disaster relief funding. HB 1325 passed the House unanimously and will now be sent to the Senate for further consideration.

In March 2012, a tornado devastated the Henryville community. Firefighters from across the state responded to help their fellow Hoosiers. At that point, there was not a funding mechanism at the state level to pay these first responders for their overtime work. Consequently, the cost of paying these firefighters’ overtime work fell on the local departments. The additional cost of paying back-up firefighters to replace those who responded to Henryville also fell on the local departments.

“Communities are always willing to help their neighbors when assistance is needed,” said Rep. Frye. “However, the financial burden of responding to disasters caused communities to second-guess helping people in need. With this bill, a local fire department will never again have to see if saving lives fits in the budget.”

HB 1325 allows that first responders can now be paid by the state disaster relief fund. The bill also provides funds for local fire departments to bring in backup firefighters to replace those left to respond to a disaster.

“As a retired firefighter, I understand the crucial nature of reinforcements arriving at a disaster scene,” said Frye. “Money is not the reason we help people, but it does allows us to have the resources required to aid those in need.”  

“Indiana is known for its “Hoosier Hospitality”, the wiliness of people to go out of their way to help others when they are in need. With this state funding mechanism, fire departments can always err on the side of life.”