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Special Plate Fee Question
I have some mixed feelings on this issue and I am looking for opinions here:
Do you think that Volunteer Firefighters should have to pay the $10.00 "Special Plate Fee" every year?
On the one hand, they are "optional"... but on the other hand, we pay enough out of our own pockets in gas, oil, insurance and other items that I feel we should get a $10.00 discount.
With volunteer recruitment is at an all time low and now with the new Ohio Administrative Code going into effect soon requiring continuing education for Volunteer Firefighters, getting new volunteers and keeping the existing volunteers is going to be a huge challenge for most departments. Fire Departments need to have incentives like discounts on Volunteer Firefighter License Plates to help with this ever growing problem.
The two biggest factors in Volunteer Firefighter recruitment and retention are time and money. I realize that there is nothing we can do about the time, but this is something we can do about the money.
What do you think?
Paid Firefighters, I would love to know your views too.
Do you think that Volunteer Firefighters should have to pay the $10.00 "Special Plate Fee" every year?
On the one hand, they are "optional"... but on the other hand, we pay enough out of our own pockets in gas, oil, insurance and other items that I feel we should get a $10.00 discount.
With volunteer recruitment is at an all time low and now with the new Ohio Administrative Code going into effect soon requiring continuing education for Volunteer Firefighters, getting new volunteers and keeping the existing volunteers is going to be a huge challenge for most departments. Fire Departments need to have incentives like discounts on Volunteer Firefighter License Plates to help with this ever growing problem.
The two biggest factors in Volunteer Firefighter recruitment and retention are time and money. I realize that there is nothing we can do about the time, but this is something we can do about the money.
What do you think?
Paid Firefighters, I would love to know your views too.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by James Thompson on
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I'm both a paid and volly. But I dont think that $10 is really gonna hurt the bank once a year. I mean I pay close to $70 as is with owning a truck, so really to me its not that big of a deal. An not to harp on your question. But if we push fo rthe discount there, where will it go next? Property taxes cause we protect structures? Hospital discounts cause we do EMS? I mean yea, it would be nice. But we are still civillians till the tones drop. As for the cont ed. I dont think it'll be that hard. If your dept does a 2hr training once a month, then that'll put you at the 24hrs I've heard that will be needed. We have been video taping trainings latley so that those that couldnt attend can view them. Then after they view them, will take a test that if they pass will recieve the training credit. Or like in EMS can use an issue of Fire Engineering,Firehouse,ect to read an article or whatnot for the same effect. I think that when the cont ed issues become reality, its just going to take what the fire service does best to make it work. Being creative. I'm by no means tryin to stir any pot an start a argument. Just stating my opinion and openly accept an corrections for any points that I am not accurate on. But hey, thats jus my $.02
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Permalink Reply by Jason Brooks on
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First, if you want the plates you should pay for them. Second, the con ed is such a small amount of hours it should be irrelevant. If anyone in the state cannot get the minimum amount of hours that are going to be required, they should not be in the fire service. These are the people that are going to get someone else hurt since we are going to have to go rescue them. Look at this other issue, the state also wants to make us get our fire and EMS cards from the DMV. Don't you think we will have to pay for this service as well. This is something that we need to be fighting against.
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Permalink Reply by myfireart.com on
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I do not disagree with the continuing ed requirements, as a matter of fact... I am all for it. My question was about the special plate fees. Yes, $10 a year might not mean much to you or I, but what about that volunteer firefighter out in rural Ohio who's income is well below the poverty level?
I met a volly when the wife and I were out in Amish country just before Christmas, and I can promise you that an extra $10 in his pocket would mean a great deal.
As for your comments about property taxes because we protect structures... it's already being done in many places across the country:
TARRYTOWN - The village's volunteer firefighters can expect a bigger break on their property-tax bills, a move leaders hope will keep emergency responders living locally.
Under the new village law, which goes into effect in 2009, volunteer firefighters will get a 10 percent reduction in their property assessments, effectively reducing their village taxes by a few hundred dollars. It replaces a $500 assessment reduction for which they are currently eligible.
There are many more, just google "volunteer firefighter property taxes" to start with.
I greatly appreciate your opinion. Thanks! -
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As I mentioned in my previous reply, I do not disagree with the continuing ed requirements, as a matter of fact... I am all for it.
Your argument about "if you want the plates you should pay for them" is the best argument that I can come up with too. But the more research I do, the more I find conflict.
For example, in Louisiana there is a one time fee of $25.00 and no annual fee, which makes more sense. In Nevada, there is a $30 annual fee but that goes to the Nevada Volunteer Firefighters Association. In New Mexico, when a firefighter retires, he/she may retain the Firefighter plate as a souvenir.
That is why I posted this question for comments... Thanks!
However, I am not aware of the State wanting us to get our cards from the DMV. If they do, I am certain there will be at least a "Deputy Fee".
Where can I find more information about this? Has it been introduced in Ohio Legislation yet? -
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It was mentioned in one of the instructor updates. That's all I know for sure.
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Permalink Reply by Leanne Wearstler on
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I think that our departments should off set the cost or make sure that our training nights at the station count towards the CEUs that we need to keep our cards. Most rural departments depend on their volunteers to get out their an do the jobs that they were trained for and the community depend us too to be there when they need us the most. The departments should offer CEs on the weekends too because sometimes we just can't make on a week night.
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Agreed. Your department should offer additional opportunities not just for CE but for training in general.
Most do, if yours doesn't, ask your Chief why not.
Also keep in mind that there are numerous trainings all over the State that are held on weekends by other departments and agencies.
As for the cost offset... every department's financial situation is unique. Some budget for reimbursement of training, some can't... not because they don't want to, but because they can't. Keep in mind that there are some rural departments are now struggling with high fuel costs forcing them to cut other funding. Remember, the best training in the world won’t do you any good if there is no fuel in the apparatus. ;)
It would be great if your department took care of your training needs... but remember, the ultimate responsibility for obtaining CE's will fall on the firefighter, not the department. -
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