OROHO, SPACE & WIRTHS COMMEND FIREFIGHTERS ON BUDGET VICTORY!

– Once again First Responders come through in a big way-

             Today Senator Steve Oroho and Assemblymen Parker Space and Hal Wirths (all R-Sussex, Warren, Morris) commended firefighters and their families for taking immediate action and acquiring a promise in writing that will eliminate a line in the budget raiding dedicated funds towards firefighter relief programs.

               “This is good news for firefighters and their families,” said Oroho, a member of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee. “I look forward to receiving the official budget update with this budget language being struck out.”

               The New Jersey State Firemen’s Association receives roughly $30 million a year from a dedicated 2% tax on fire insurance premiums. Approximately half of that goes to the New Jersey Firemen’s Home in Boonton, operating expenses, the burial benefit for deceased firefighters, and the Special Relief Fund of the State Association. The other half is distributed to the Local Relief Associations for Applicant Need (relief) as well as for administrative expenses and salaries and the Annual Convention.

               “I am so proud of my brother and sister firefighters and their families for stepping up and leading this fight,” said Space, himself a 30-year volunteer firefighter.  “Their activism in the past 48 hours was incredible and together we were able to shake up Trenton in a hurry!”

                The legislators said that now New Jersey can move forward on other matters of importance to First Responders.

              “I am glad these funds for firefighters are going to be protected this year but we will remain vigilant to ensure their protection in the future,” said Wirths, a member of the Assembly Appropriations Committee.  “Now we can work on ways to better protect those funds as well as make sure firefighters and their families are better served by them.”

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