Massachusetts Volunteer Firefighters

On November 29, 2003, Lancaster volunteer/call firefighter Marty McNamara lost his life in the line of duty. In an effort to assist the McNamara family, town officials presented to their constituents a special ballot measure that would have provided pension benefits to Marty McNamaras family. On November 2, 2004, the Town of Lancaster voted the measure down.

For years now, legislation has been introduced in the state legislature to extend pension benefits to volunteer/call firefighters. The legislation has never passed. Scores of communities across the state rely heavily upon volunteer/call firefighters to protect our homes, our property and our lives.

In light of the tragedy in Lancaster, we the undersigned respectfully request that the state legislature and Governor Mitt Romney take immediate action to extend pension benefits to volunteer/call firefighters within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.