Recap of the Mental Health of First Responders meeting Tuesday in Pierre

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- Legislators on an interim committee heard about issues finding and keeping volunteer first responders.

Appearing before the “Mental Health of First Responders” Task Force, Jerome Harvey, Fire Administrator for Pennington County said finding volunteers has become much more difficult.

People from all over the country are moving to the state and Black Hills. Harvey says that is having an impact on their numbers and services.

Senator V.J. Smith of Brookings says its another area where legislators have to help find a solution.

Smith says the legislature may have to find funding to pay volunteers at least a small stipend to keep them involved.

The task force took no formal action.