By Keith Norman
The Jamestown Sun
BISMARCK, N.D. — Volunteer first responders could display special license plates if an initiated measure is successful.
“We are trying to find a way to say ‘thank you’ and salute them,” said Norval Semchenko, Max, N.D., chairman of the petition drive to place the measure on the November general election ballot.
The measure calls for the issuance of “red personalized plates to volunteer emergency responders at no initial or annual cost to the volunteer. Volunteers shall include firefighters and emergency medical responders.”
The format of the petition was approved Wednesday by Al Jaeger, North Dakota secretary of state.
Semchenko said the measure is strictly a way to thank those who provide volunteer emergency services in North Dakota.
“Throughout my life, I’ve never been an emergency responder but I’ve seen them in action,” Semchenko said. “I’ve reflected on their personalities and skills and it’s overwhelming when you think about it.”
If the initiated measure passes, vehicles with the special license plate would be allowed free entrance to any state park in North Dakota. The license plate would include the last three digits of the home zip code of the volunteer and three characters of the volunteer’s choosing.
The measure might have some practical applications also, according to Jim Reuther, Jamestown fire chief.
“It could help with the (police) officers in letting firemen into the scene if they drive their own vehicles,” he said.
Reuther said the intent of the license plates as a thank you for volunteers alone makes the measure a good cause.
“My opinion is this is well-deserved,” he said. “Volunteers don’t seem to get enough credit.”
Bryan Maulding, chief of the Jamestown Rural Fire Department, said he had not heard much about the measure.
“In a lot of the small departments they don’t give any compensation to the firemen,” he said. “This is a way to say thank you.”
Members of the North Dakota Firefighters Association currently can get a special license plate at a cost of $15 per year.
Semchenko said his group needs 13,500 petition signatures by July 9 to place the measure on the Nov. 6 general election ballot. Anyone interested in volunteering to gather signatures can contact him at Volunteer@restel.com.
“Hopefully it gets some traction and we get enough signatures,” Semchenko said. “It is strictly a way to say thank you to those that serve.”