Volunteer Emergency Responder Recruitment and Retention Act

In 1999, the State Legislature recognized the exceptional services the volunteers provide to their local communities and the savings they afford due to volunteering their services. The Volunteer Emergency Responder Recruitment and Retention Act (VERRRA) was enacted as a means for fire departments to retain volunteer responders.

The service of today’s volunteers requires a high degree of dedication and training. The expense involved in equipping and training volunteer responders to be prepared to respond to the complex and hazardous incidents that now occur can be cost prohibitive with large numbers of turnovers in volunteers.

Since many communities rely on volunteers to respond to emergencies that occur, the need to retain these volunteers became apparent. VERRRA provides a means for these communities to participate in a local option incentive program. The program is designed to provide payment of benefits based on length of service of active volunteer members of volunteer fire departments and rescue squads.

The VERRRA program is administered by the State Fire Marshal’s Office. For more information, contact Deb Mitchell at (402) 395-2164.