Little Rock firefighters, officials ask for community help with campaign
The ‘Love Your Firefighters’ campaign aims to improve deteriorating conditions at firehouses across Little Rock with tax-free donations from the community.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Little Rock firefighters are asking for your help due to years of deteriorating conditions at fire stations across the city.
These poor conditions have motivated officials to reach out to the community with a new campaign.
It all began in December when Local 34 President Matthew Stallings and other firefighters shared the need for budget support after the proposed Little Rock sales tax was rejected.
Their requests included pay raises and schedule changes, which were both approved in January.
“We were able to sign what we see to be across-the-board raises 5% each in the Little Rock Fire Department, something we haven’t seen in quite some time,” Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott said.
There was one more item they needed help with.
“There’s an area for improvement as it relates to some of the TLC and some of those particular buildings,” Scott said.
City directors like Capi Peck got the chance to see these safety concerns for themselves.
Peck shared during a press conference on Monday that she toured several fire houses in the central Arkansas area and she “was appalled some of these would probably not pass a code inspection.”
That’s when Peck and other city leaders worked to find a solution.
They announced on Monday a donation initiative, leaning on the community for help.
“The ‘Love Your Firefighters’ campaign,” Mayor Scott said. “Many times there’s a question on, how can we be more helpful? This is an opportunity to do that as well as do it tax-free.”
Through tax-deductible donations, your money can help provide a safe space for our first responders’ home-away-from-home.
“We are asking you to help answer this call and contribute to our fund that will go for things like ceiling fans, chairs, exercise equipment,” Peck said. “We have earmarked two and a half million dollars to address the really expensive and serious needs, especially in our aging fire stations, like HVAC systems, vinyl asbestos tile remediation, mold remediation and flooding issues in the basement right here.”
City leaders said the money just isn’t in the budget, so the community has to work together.
To learn more about the “Love Your Firefighters” campaign, click here.