GOP Continues Their Assault on Firefighters

The GOP majority in the House, today gave initial approval to a bill that is a direct assault at Montana’s professional firefighters. The bill seeks to allow large municipalities in the state to have an all volunteer firefighting force. If this bill is written into law, it would have a disastrous impact on our public safety in our cities. Our highly trained, professional firefighters would no longer be available to help in the event of an emergency.

It would also cause greater economic struggles in these cities, because the professional firefighters that are currently employed would be laid off.

The measure passed second reading in the House with a 60-40 vote, with all Democrats opposing the measure.

This bill is the latest in a string of attacks on firefighters from Montana Republicans. The first came last summer, when Congressman Dennis Rehberg sued the Billings fire department for fighting his fire. The second was when Rehberg voted against the 9/11 Responders Bill in Congress, which provided much needed medical care to these heroes. Today’s bill is the third.

Ted Dick, executive director of the Montana Democratic Party had this to say of the GOP attacks on firefighters and first responders, “What do Republican lawmakers have against firefighters and the jobs they do? The last thing our economy needs right now is more layoffs, let alone to firefighters who protect our communities and keep our families safe. They should be commended for their heroism, not fired.”