Each year, much needed quality fire equipment, including hoses, fire trucks, protective clothing and breathing apparatus worth millions of dollars are destroyed instead of being donated to volunteer fire departments all over the nation. This unnecessary waste of resources occurs because of the desire to avoid civil liability lawsuits.

Seventy-five percent of firefighters are volunteers. They are our first responders to all types of emergencies. I have cosponsored H.R. 4736, the Good Samaritan Volunteer Firefighter Assistance Act, to allow fire departments to be better equipped to protect our families, neighbors and communities.

This bill removes the liability barriers that keep volunteer fire departments from receiving much needed safety equipment. But it continues to protect firefighters from faulty donated equipment by requiring the equipment to be certified to the manufacturer's specifications and by continuing to hold organizations liable if they are grossly negligent.

Firefighters put their lives on the line to protect us every day, and they deserve the best we can give them. Passing the Good Samaritan Volunteer Firefighter Assistance Act is a good first step toward this important goal.