Senate

Unresolved Premium Pay and Bovoni Landfill Fire Suppression Dominate VIFEMS Budget Hearing

During Friday's budget hearing, Fire and Emergency Management (VIFEMS) officials faced pointed questions from lawmakers, especially concerning the delayed Premium Pay for firefighters and ongoing fire mitigation efforts at Bovoni landfill. Committee chair Senator Donna Frett-Gregory expressed exasperation over the delay in Premium Pay allotments. "Give the people their money. I don't understand what takes us so long," she declared, addressing the Office of Management and Budget. Director Daryl George of VIFEMS provided insights into the constant challenges at the Bovoni landfill, where fire suppression remains a regular issue. "Almost every day, every week, we go on that landfill because you have the garbage burning, and then sometimes you have the cars burning," he explained. Highlighting a potential solution, Mr. George proposed utilizing water from the Waste Management Authority's treatment plant to combat the persistent fires. Ms. Frett-Gregory, resonating with this sentiment, ur...