Bill Text: DE HCR50 | 2019-2020 | 150th General Assembly | Draft


Bill Title: Establishing A Task Force To Help With The Recruitment And Retention Of Volunteer Firefighters For The Delaware Volunteer Fire Service.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2019-06-18 - Passed By Senate. Votes: 19 YES 2 ABSENT [HCR50 Detail]

Download: Delaware-2019-HCR50-Draft.html

SPONSOR:

Rep. Carson & Rep. D. Short & Sen. Ennis & Sen. McBride

Reps. Brady, Bush, Collins, Cooke, Dukes, Gray, Hensley, Jaques, Kowalko, Longhurst, Lynn, Mitchell, Osienski, Postles, Schwartzkopf, Shupe, Michael Smith, Smyk, Vanderwende, Viola, K. Williams, Yearick; Sens. Delcollo, Hansen, Hocker, Lawson, Lopez, Paradee, Pettyjohn, Poore, Richardson, Sokola, Townsend, Wilson

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

150th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 50

ESTABLISHING A TASK FORCE TO HELP WITH THE RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS FOR THE DELAWARE VOLUNTEER FIRE SERVICE.

WHEREAS, volunteer fire companies have been a part of the fabric of Delaware for over 200 years; and

WHEREAS, each year over 7,000 volunteers throughout Delaware donate their time and energy to protect the citizens of Delaware; and

WHEREAS, the number of volunteers have steadily been declining and due to this decrease, companies are being forced to rely on paid staff to man their apparatus; and

WHEREAS, it would be a financial burden to the State of Delaware if it had to incur the cost for this service statewide;

WHEREAS, it is important to develop and implement long term recruitment and retention strategies to ensure this vital service is around for the future;

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives and the Senate of the 150th General Assembly of the State of Delaware, with the approval of the Governor, that a task force shall be created to study and make findings and recommendations concerning the recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force shall be composed of the following members:

1. Three representatives of the Delaware Volunteer Firefighters Association, one from each county;

2. Three representatives of the Delaware State Senate, one from each county, appointed by the Senate President pro tempore;

3. Three representatives of the Delaware State House of Representatives, one from each county, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

4. One representative of the Governor’s Office, appointed by the Governor;

5. One representative of the State Office of Volunteerism, appointed by the Secretary of the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services;

6. One representative of the Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security, appointed by the Secretary of the Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security;

7. One representative of the Delaware Department of Education, appointed by the Secretary of the Delaware Department of Education;

8. One representative from the Delaware State Fire Prevention Commission;

9. One representative from the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force members should select a Chair and Vice Chair to manage and facilitate the meetings.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force can call upon and rely on any expertise of individuals outside its membership, for research, advice, support, or other functions necessary or appropriate to accomplish its mission.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that on or before January 1, 2020 the task force shall report its findings and recommendations to the Governor, General Assembly, and the Delaware Volunteer Firefighters Association.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the State Office of Volunteerism shall provide staff and support for the task force.

SYNOPSIS

This joint resolution is designed to establish a task force to study and make findings concerning the recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters.

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