Washington, DC — On October 9, Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) introduced S. 1516, the Good Samaritan Volunteer Firefighter Assistance Act. This legislation, which was introduced in the House by Rep. Mike Castle (R-DE) as H.R. 1919 earlier this year, would limit the liability of companies and wealthier fire departments that donate surplus equipment to volunteer fire departments. Every year, in order to avoid civil liability lawsuits, quality fire equipment, including hoses, fire trucks, protective clothing and breathing apparatus worth millions of dollars are destroyed instead of being donated to volunteer fire departments.
This legislation is modeled after a bill passed by the Texas State Legislature in 1997. Prior to this legislation, companies and wealthier fire departments in Texas had refrained from donating their used equipment for fear of potential lawsuits. Now, they donate their surplus equipment to the Texas Forest Service, which then certifies the equipment and passes it on to volunteer fire departments in need. The program has already received more than of $6 million worth of equipment for volunteer fire departments.
Arizona, Missouri, Indiana, and South Carolina have also passed similar laws at the state level.
The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary.
