Roane County is the first Tennessee County to adopt the new State of Tennessee Length of Service Award Program for Volunteers offered to local communities to recruit, retain, and reward volunteer firefighters for their commitment.
A length of service award program, or LOSAP, allows participating local governments to provide financial rewards to volunteers performing firefighting and fire prevention, emergency medical, and ambulance services. Local governments electing to participate in the program will be able to designate an annual contribution amount to be invested on behalf of eligible volunteers to provide future monetary benefits.
Championed by Senator Ken Yager, of Kingston, and Representative Ron Gant, of Rossville, the Tennessee General Assembly authorized grant funding, beginning July 1, 2023, to assist local governments and nonprofit entities that would like to provide this benefit to volunteer firefighters in their communities. The program is administered by the Tennessee Department of Treasury, under the leadership of State Treasurer David H. Lillard, Jr.
“I am proud that Roane County has become the first county in the state to take advantage of the LOSAP to benefit local volunteers,” said Senator Ken Yager. “Our hard-working volunteer emergency services personnel across the state can also take advantage of the excellent investment strategies of the Tennessee Treasury and improve financial rewards for their service. I was honored to sponsor and pass this bill on behalf of the Treasurer and look forward to seeing this model adopted by local governments across the state.”
“Senator Yager has worked tirelessly to promote the LOSAP,” said Treasurer Lillard. “It is no surprise that his home, Roane County, is the first county to adopt the program. I hope other counties will join Roane in adopting the LOSAP and applying for the grant.”
Volunteers are the lifeblood of fire service in many Tennessee communities, accounting for nearly two-thirds of firefighters in the state. These brave men and women ensure the safety of citizens and those visiting our state each day, often without personal compensation.
“Most of Tennessee’s firefighters are volunteers who willingly put their lives on the line every time they respond to a call for assistance with little regard for compensation or personal gain,” said Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance Assistant Commissioner for Fire Prevention Gary Farley, who oversees the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office. “The Length of Service Award Program could be vital to helping strengthen the Tennessee Fire Service in the coming years.”
For more information on the Tennessee Department of Treasury and the LOSAP program, visit Treasury.tn.gov.
