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2008 Policy Book
First | Previous | Next | Last | 2008 Index | Policy Book Archive#63 FIRE FIGHTING TRAINING COSTS
The fire fighter of today is expected to respond to situations that require training and experience. State and federal regulations mandate many hours of training in preparation for an ever-increasing variety of response situations including fire, medical and hazardous material emergencies. Volunteers in rural departments must make a substantial commitment of personal time for this training. The state and federal government should fund these mandated training requirements.
When a property owner is conducting a legal burn, the property owner should not be responsible for costs incurred by an unnecessary fire truck dispatch.
Local units of government have begun charging farms a fee for emergency preparation inspections. These inspections are completed by a local fire department to comply with requirements authorized by MI-OSHA. We believe local units of government should consider the following:
- Farms already provide for fire protection service through the levy of property taxes.
- Farms currently pay a tax on each ton of fertilizer purchased to support voluntary emergency (E Tube) service through the Groundwater Stewardship Program administered by conservation districts.
Therefore, we support policy that prohibits local units of government and fire authorities from charging for emergency preparation inspections. Furthermore, the E Tube shall suffice as an appropriate level of information.
Firefighters are welcome to visit farms to be prepared for emergency planning and firefighter safety, but at their own expense.
