Resolutions-2022-033

RESOLUTION NO. 2022-033 A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING PASSAGE OF HOUSE FILE 2574: AN ACT AUTHORIZING LENGTH OF SERVICE AWARD PROGRAMS FOR VOLUNTEER FIRE FIGHTERS, VOLUNTEER EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE PROVIDERS, AND RESERVE PEACE OFFICERS, AND MAKING APPROPRIATIONS Whereas, the City of Tiffin provides fire, rescue, and emergency medical services through a volunteer fire department; and, Whereas, the City of Tiffin has experienced record growth and a correlating increase in calls for service for fire, rescue, and emergency medical services; and, Whereas, demands on the City of Tiffin’s volunteer firefighters and emergency medical providers’ time have increased and the availability of volunteers has decreased; and, Whereas, the City of Tiffin, like many communities across Iowa, faces difficulties in recruiting and retaining volunteer firefighters and emergency medical providers and immediately needs additional members to provide emergency services; and, Whereas, the City of Tiffin struggles to retain volunteer firefighters and emergency medical providers and is unable to provide services without volunteers; and, Whereas, retaining volunteer firefighters is in the public interest; and, Whereas, incentives and benefits for volunteer firefighters are needed to retain volunteer firefighters and emergency medical providers; and, Whereas, state action is immediately necessary to address the volunteer firefighter and emergency medical provider recruitment and retention crisis; and, Whereas, House File 2574 establishes a voluntary length of service award program (LOSAP) for volunteer firefighters, emergency medical providers, and reserve police officers and provides a state appropriation through lottery revenues; and, Whereas, HF2574 will make available a needed benefit to aid the City in the recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters and emergency medical providers; and, Now, therefore be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Tiffin, Iowa, hereby supports and requests the immediate passage of House File 2574 in the 89th General Assembly and enactment into law. On the 19th day of April, 2022, at a regular meeting of the Tiffin City Council, Tiffin, Iowa, Councilperson Limkemann introduced RESOLUTION NO. 2022-033, A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING PASSAGE OF HOUSE FILE 2574: AN ACT AUTHORIZING LENGTH OF SERVICE AWARD PROGRAMS FOR VOLUNTEER FIRE FIGHTERS, VOLUNTEER EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE PROVIDERS, AND RESERVE PEACE OFFICERS, AND MAKING APPROPRIATIONS and made a motion for approval. Motion seconded by Councilperson Havens.