By Vin Gopal

Police, firefighters, members of volunteer Emergency Medical Services organizations, lifeguards; these are the first responders in a crisis. They come without hesitation when residents call for help. 

That’s why, along with my Legislative District 11 partners, Assemblywomen Margie Donlon and Luanne Peterpaul, we’re hosting a celebration of our LD11 Hometown Heroes from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., on Oct. 9, 2025 at the Brick House Tavern + Tap Room, on Route 66 in Tinton Falls.

It’s hard to say enough about the contributions of the men and women, professionals and volunteers, who answer the call. We see their bravery chronicled in news stories everyday. Stories like the rescue of an 8-year-old child from an Asbury Park house fire on August 25 by Asbury Park police officers Dewitt Bacon and John Walsh, two of our honorees on Oct. 9. 

We are proud to have sponsored numerous bills to support the recruitment and retention of volunteer first responders and they will be a priority for us when the legislature goes back in session in November.

As a former volunteer EMT, I can attest to the countless hours our first responders put into training and education to ensure that they are able to provide the most comprehensive emergency services possible. It is our responsibility to support the personal growth of our volunteer first responders by providing opportunities for education and lessening the burden of affordability. As a member of the Special Task Force on Volunteer Retention and Recruitment, I worked with volunteer first responders, legislators, government officials, and nonprofits to determine the best steps forward.

Here’s a look  at several of our sponsored bills that came out of the task force.

One of our bills would make volunteer first responders eligible to receive tuition credit of up to $1,250 per year to go towards county college, county vocational school, or county technical school for up to four years. Another piece of legislation in our package of bills would authorize municipalities to provide partial property tax exemption up to 15 percent on the primary residence of volunteer first responders. Our package of bills includes legislation calling for a gross income tax credit for volunteer first responders who utilize their personal vehicles when responding to an emergency situation. 

Our LD11 office secured grants in the FY2026 budget for Monmouth County Police Departments and Emergency Medical Service organizations, including Asbury Park, Long Branch, Colts Neck Township, Freehold Township, and the Tinton Falls Police Department.

Affordability is a key concern for all New Jerseyans. If not for the valiant efforts of our volunteer first responders, and if current trends in declining membership continue, municipalities will be forced to hire paid personnel or regionalize their emergency service efforts at the expense of taxpayers. 

We need to ensure that our first responders are able to serve their communities without the fear of not being able to afford living in their homes. These bills will not only support our volunteer first responders, they support the safety of our residents and ensure that taxpayers do not have to carry the entire cost of emergency services.

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