Local representatives push higher volunteer firefighter allowances and study PFAS exposure

LaPorte County and state lawmakers highlighted efforts to shore up volunteer fire services and to address emerging PFAS health concerns among first responders.

State Representative Randy Novak, who chairs the LaPorte County Fire Chiefs Association, said a bill under consideration would increase the statutory volunteer firefighter allowance from about $200 per year to $500 per year as a modest recruitment and retention incentive. "It go from $200 a year to $500 a year," Novak said, describing the change as an effort to blunt manpower shortages among volunteer departments.

Novak also cited a recent study linking higher PFAS levels to firefighters and said he has a line-of-duty disability proposal related to PFAS exposure. Panelists indicated the PFAS bill had not yet received a hearing but that the study had heightened attention on occupational exposures among firefighters.

Next steps: Novak and other lawmakers said they will pursue committee hearings on stipend and line-of-duty disability proposals and follow emerging PFAS research.