Gov. Glenn Youngkin on May 5 ceremonially signed a pair of bills sponsored by Delegate Israel O’Quinn that support the firefighters across the state through worker’s compensation benefits for anxiety and depressive disorders and better training for electric vehicle fires, respectively.
As a former volunteer firefighter himself, O’Quinn has long supported Virginia’s first responders and during the 2023 General Assembly session his work on these two bills will have a positive impact going forward.
The bill signing day came one day after International Firefighters Day and Youngkin had this to say “I can think of no better time to sign these critically important bills than today, right here, among our heroes.”
“We rightfully focus a lot of time and resources on the physical safety of public safety personnel, and HB 1775 ensures that we are also looking out for their mental health. The public safety profession is mentally taxing, often beyond a degree that many citizens can even imagine, so it is only right that we provide the necessary resources to protect the mental health of public safety professionals who choose a life of service to others,” said O’Quinn.
“As electric vehicles have become more prevalent, there has been significant concern by fire departments across Virginia regarding fires that are associated with these vehicles. HB 2451 will provide specialized training from the state, so that every Virginia firefighter understands the proper approach and suppression methods when faced with an EV fire.”
Due to his long-time advocacy for firefighters in Virginia, Delegate O’Quinn was endorsed by the Virginia Professional Fire Fighters in his reelection to the House of Delegates in the newly reconstituted 44th House District. This new district is comprised of the City of Bristol, Washington County and part of Russell County.
