State Rep. Kara Rochelle (D- Ansonia, Derby) will be awarded the Connecticut State Firefighters Association's 2021 Legislative Award during the association's 138th Annual Statewide Convention Sept.18 at La Bella Vista Pavilion in Waterbury.
Rochelle was selected for her work during the 2021 legislative session to create a new fund that will pay for Firefighter I training for volunteer firefighters in economically distressed municipalities like Ansonia and Derby.
This provision will free up these departments' training budgets to reassign Firefighter I funds for Firefighter II training and more specialized courses.
Rochelle is also being recognized for her outstanding advocacy in the long effort for the construction of the Valley Fire School, a top priority for CSFA and Rochelle.
The legislature authorized and approved funds, which are now waiting for the governor to place them on the bond agenda for release by the Connecticut State Bond Commission.
"It is deeply humbling and a huge honor to be selected for this award. Firefighters answer the call no matter the hour, no matter the circumstance, and give so much of themselves to maintain the fire service and protect people in our communities. While I can't wield the jaws of life or physically carry a person to safety myself, I am proud to serve as an advocate for our firefighters at the State Capitol, working closely with fire agencies like the CSFA and their members to ensure that firefighters have the support they need and the tools and resources to continue serving our state," said Rochelle. "This award is incredibly personal and touching to me. I grew up in a fire family and have seen first-hand the hours, time, and dedication that goes into leading and maintaining the fire service. I am keenly aware of the challenges firefighters face and am proud to be recognized by the CSFA as a strong and clear voice for firefighters."
"Rep. Rochelle has been a dedicated advocate for the fire service. We appreciate her actions to secure new fire training funding to support the volunteer firefighter community and her strong efforts in advocating for the construction of the Valley Fire School. She has shown herself to be deeply committed and a true friend of the fire service," said Bill Halstead, President of the Connecticut State Firefighters Association.
As a member of the legislature's Fire/EMS Caucus, Rochelle has fiercely supported Connecticut's firefighters. Her advocacy started well before she was elected to serve as the 104th House District's state representative.
In 2019, she co-sponsored legislation to provide workers' compensation benefits for post- traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for firefighters, police, and parole officers. During the 2021 legislative session, Rochelle backed an expansion of the bill to provide those benefits to corrections officers, EMS workers, and 9-1-1 dispatchers.
The CSFA has more than 26,000 members, representing both volunteer and career firefighters from across the state and is the focal organization for Connecticut's fire service, aiding members with state and federal legislative initiatives, death and disability benefits claim, and more.
Its Education Committee represents the nine regional fire schools to the state. The organization also oversees the state's Firefighters Memorial in Windsor Locks, and oversees the Connecticut State Firefighters Hall of Fame.
Visit www.csfa.org to learn more.
This is a press release from state Rep. Kara Rochelle's office.
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