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Holly Morris is hoping a bill moving through the state Legislature soon will allow Pennsylvania firefighters to “boot up and show up” on the state’s roadways, raising money to support the activities of local fire companies.
The recent approval of legislation by the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee on Wednesday seems to make it more likely that her hopes become reality.
House Bill 138, introduced by State Rep. Frank Farry, R-Langhorne, would allow first responders, after getting local approval, to take to the streets to collect money in “boots” or other appropriate containers.
Morris, secretary of the Shickshinny Volunteer Fire Department, is hopeful that that legislation will go through.
It has been the practice of that department to conduct two “boot drops” at the intersection of Routes 11 and 239 on both Saturdays of the Bloomsburg Fair.
“You can only have so many sales and dinners which draw on donations of local residents,” she said. “The boot drop provided opportunities for out-of-towners to drop in a few quarters, making it our biggest annual fundraiser.”
Morris, whose husband, Kevin Morris, is fire chief, said she was heartbroken this year when, on the first Saturday of the fair, volunteers were cited by Pennsylvania State Police during the boot drop.
Tony Yurek, Wyoming Hose Co. #2 president, shares Morris’ concerns in regard to fundraising.
Although Yurek’s department does not use boot drops for fundraising, he supports various types of fundraising for local fire departments.
“Years ago, a fire truck may have cost $50,000. Now it might be a quarter of a million,” he said. “The need for fundraising is a reality.”
The bill will now go to the full Senate for consideration.
State Sen. Randy Vulakovich, R-Glenshaw, a former municipal police officer, said in a news release from the Senate Republican Communications Office that he recognizes the importance of the roadway fundraising efforts.
“Many volunteer fire departments have historically held fundraisers along roadways without incident,” Vulakovich said. “These types of fundraisers are often successful because they are highly visible to the community. Without such visibility, it can be difficult to attract attention for such worthy causes. Ultimately, this legislation would make the issue a local matter.”
In the meantime, Holly Morris said Shickshinny volunteer firefighters Nicole and Randy Davis are heading to court on Dec. 1 with the full support of their department. A state trooper had charged them with interfering with traffic at an intersection.
Should the legislation be passed, Morris hopes that next year, volunteer firefighters can “hit the road” — with local officials’ permission and without worrying about being hit with a citation while trying to raise money to ensure their communities are kept safe.