Rep. Frye Cuts Costs For Emergency Services

Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 6:29 AM

Press release from State Rep. Randy Frye

(Indianapolis, Ind.) - A bill that will allow fire departments, law enforcement agencies and emergency medical service agencies to receive quantity purchase agreements unanimously passed out of the Senate. Rep. Randy Frye (R-Greensburg), a former firefighter of 26 years, authored House Bill 1052, which is intended to save money for emergency service providers.

Current law allows local units of government to enter into quantity purchase agreements with the state for road salt, copy paper and other mass purchased goods. Having the ability to make these quantity purchases has saved local governments a combined $10 million.

“Its basic economics,” said Rep. Frye. “Giving emergency service agencies the ability to buy larger quantities of equipment at a lower cost saves money that can be spent on training, technology and staff.”

Members of the Department of Homeland Security, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, the Indiana Fire Chiefs Association and the Indiana Township Association among others lined up to testify in favor of this provision to save taxpayer dollars. The bill does not require agencies to buy in bulk, but it does enable them to make larger, cost saving purchases.

“This bill will create real savings for local fire departments and other agencies that work to protect citizens,” said Rep. Frye. “These entities need greater flexibility to be fiscally responsible, so they can spend their limited resources wisely.”

The bill will now go to Gov. Daniels for his approval.