In Oklahoma, Senator Russell has introduced an important Senate bill to the 2011 legislative session (SB 568) that will directly benefit Reserve Law Enforcement Officers: the Volunteer Emergency Responders Protection Act. This bill states that an employeer cannot hold any disciplinary action against a volunteer emergency responder for missing work in the performance of their duties. Although this is a step in the right direction, there is still nothing in the law that restrains an employer from stopping an employee from being an emergency responder.
This bill is getting a lot of help and support from both the FOP, and from the Fire Fighters Union. Specifically, they are pushing add an amendment that ensures total protection for the responding voluteer.
I encourage everybody to contact their State Senator and express your views. Please feel free to contact me with any questions.
Deputy John F. Oisten, OCSOR
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