STATEHOUSE—State Representatives Randy Frye (R-Greensburg) and Jud McMillin (R-Brookville) were honored as Legislators of the Year by the Indiana Volunteer Firefighters Association (IVFA). At the organization’s annual state convention, the lawmakers received the award for their work during the 2015 legislative session and for advocating on behalf of volunteer firefighters.
“Having served over 20 years as a professional firefighter, I know how important these brave men and women are to every community in Indiana. They are always on call, day or night, and encounter dangerous situations to keep Hoosiers safe,” said Rep. Frye. “That is why I’m so honored to receive this award and look forward to continuing to work alongside the Indiana Volunteer Firefighters Association, advocating for these selfless heroes at the Statehouse.”
According to the IVFA, Reps. Frye and McMillin received the award for their work on House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1264. This legislation allows the executive or member of the fiscal body of a city, town or township to serve as a volunteer firefighter for a department that provides fire protection services to that area.
Under current law, executives or members of a local fiscal body are not allowed to serve as a volunteer firefighter in the area they represent due to the potential conflict of interest regarding the budget. HEA 1264 addresses this concern by requiring that volunteer firefighters that hold a public office abstain from voting on matters relating to the budget, rather than prohibiting them from holding office.
“Countless communities rely on volunteer firefighters to keep Hoosiers safe, especially in southeastern Indiana and other rural parts of the state, which is why it is so important that we pass good policy that allows anyone who wishes to volunteer the opportunity to do so. I was proud to work alongside the Indiana Volunteer Firefighters Association towards this goal, and it was an honor to receive this esteemed award,” said Rep. McMillin.
The IVFA works with its members to discuss different ideas to help fire service and emergency responders find ways to reduce the unnecessary loss of life and of property. The IVFA has 16,000 members statewide.
For more information about the IVFA, visit www.ivfa.org, or for more information about HEA 1264, visit iga.in.gov.
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