Sen. Tipping introduces bill to promote recruitment and retention of first responders

AUGUSTA — On Monday, March 20, Sen. Mike Tipping, D-Orono, introduced LD 326, “An Act to Improve Recruitment and Retention of First Responders,” in front of the Joint Standing Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety. The bill aims to increase the availability and lower the costs of EMS training.

“This bill stems from the same understanding of the crisis facing fire and EMS services in our state. The Blue Ribbon Commission to Study Emergency Medical Services found a $70 million gap in funding for EMS services, as well as a need for additional workforce development, education and training. I’ve seen this gap and this need firsthand,” said Sen. Tipping. “As towns in my part of Penobscot County have moved from mostly volunteer services to full-time and professional services, costs have risen rapidly. Smaller and rural towns are most at risk, and they are losing staff to larger cities able to provide better compensation and more opportunities. Costs for some towns have gone up 400%. In December, Howland Fire Chief Josh McNally declared that the lack of fire and EMS first responders in our region is ‘beyond crisis,’ and warned that soon there may be no one there to show up to a 911 call.”

LD 326 would increase the availability and lower the cost of training for providers of emergency medical services in order to increase recruitment and retention of first responders, especially in rural areas. With costs consistently rising for EMS departments across the state, this legislation could help offset training expenses, setting departments up for greater success and sustainability in the long term.

This bill is supported by local officials in Sen. Tipping’s district, including Brian Moura, First Select Board Member in Lowell.

“Being an active member of a recently established coalition supporting this proposal, we are collaboratively confronting the challenge of how to sustain these critical services to rural communities with a new approach,” said Moura in testimony supporting the bill. “The basic premise is to form a fire district covering several communities, which we believe will not only improve the level and quality of service, but will ultimately achieve significant economies of scale through the coordinated sharing of apparatus, employees and existing facilities. We further believe that by working together we will be able to eventually reduce operating expenses and increase revenues for the benefit of all served through the district model. A final significant benefit we foresee is the creation of new job opportunities within the region.”

The bill faces further action in committee.