Rep. Dennis Powers Behind Bill Introducing More Red Tape To Rescue Squads

by Hayden Bradfield

Published Saturday, March 1, 2025

Rep. Dennis Powers (R-Jacksboro) recently introduced a bill targeting rescue squads, organizations that largely consist of volunteers providing emergency response and rescue operations. House Bill HB0357 mandates rescue squads traverse through additional approval processes and fork out fees to be formally recognized.

Many unincorporated areas of Tennessee rely on non-profit organizations staffed by unpaid volunteers to provide emergency response to areas where county and state governmental bodies would otherwise not provide these services. Most of these organizations rely soley on generous donations from the community. At a time where these organizations need support, funding, and resources from leaders, Rep. Dennis Powers chooses to add more red tape, bureaucracy, and difficulties.

I recently attempted to reach out to Rep. Dennis Power's office to help form a special district to address voids in the emergency services within the area he represents. I had very little cooperation with his office, and I find this strange a bill like this would be introduced shortly thereafter. Could this be retaliatory against my efforts? Could this be an attempt to thwart my efforts to have this special district established?