LUZERNE COUNTY -- We have received all kinds of comments about our story yesterday on the state police citing two volunteer firefighters in Luzerne County holding a boot drive in Shickshinny.
Troopers told us Tuesday they cited the firefighters because they were blocking traffic and that they warned them to stop holding the drives last year because it breaks state law. The fire department never listened.
So we talked to other volunteer fire departments in Luzerne County, but we couldn't find any others that hold boot drop fundraisers.
The chief of Kunkle Volunteer Fire Department said the department doesn’t hold them because someone could get hurt.
"I think they're easier ways and better ways to make money,” said Chief Jack Dodson.
Harveys Lake Police also don't allow anyone to hold boot drop fundraisers. Over in Avoca, police allow it, but only with tight restrictions. Firefighters in Avoca stopped its boot drop fund drives two years ago. In Pittston Township, the volunteer fire department relies on other fundraising campaigns, instead of boot drop fundraisers.
State police say they warned Shickshinny firefighters for a year not to hold the boot drop fundraisers due to safety concerns.
State police told Newswatch 16:
"We are not against the Shickshinny Fire Department. They do phenomenal work...But standing in the middle of the road is dangerous. And on top of that it's breaking the law."
Meanwhile, Newswatch 16 reached out to state police headquarters in Harrisburg. They tell us, if you see someone in the middle of a roadway and you feel like you are in possible danger, to just ignore them and safely pass through.
"Everything we do in the fire company, safety is number one. Everybody comes home safe,” Dodson said.
There is a state bill making its way through Harrisburg that, if passed, would make exceptions for boot drop fundraisers.
State Representative Tarah Toohil supports the bill and said in a statement:
"Since it is a volunteer based/charitable activity, I believe that these types of drives should be sometimes allowed despite the fact that they are prohibited by law."
State Senator John Yudichak said:
"The legislature is working to provide a balance between public safety and the need for first responders to safely solicit donations for fund raising purposes…I support House Bill 138 – which would allow the solicitations to occur at controlled-intersections with the approval of the municipality where the solicitation occurs.”
State Senator Lisa Baker said:
“Our volunteer numbers are dwindling. Few people have the time to volunteer let alone the fundraising required. 60 percent of available hours are spent on bingos, chicken barbeques, raffles and other events. And less than 20 percent of people donate to their fire companies. The boot drive issue is something we are aware of. Tomorrow, the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee will actually be considering a bill to make an exception. I intend to support the measure.”