Everything you need to know on tire bill
Greetings IFA membership, as I write this I’m 4 weeks away from the end of my term on the IFA board. It’s hard to believe it’s been 7 years already. I am very thankful that I had the opportunity to serve the membership. I will cherish the countless memories and conversations that were had for the rest of my life. Thank you all for the support and trust along the way.
Hopefully by now most all of you know about our success on the tire bill (house file 603). This allows volunteer firefighters a chance to save money when purchasing a set of tires for a vehicle registered in their name. Please see the enclosed letter and q&a sheet in this month’s paper and on our website.
I have been asked many times in the last month why we didn’t just do the tire bill for IFA members only. My answer is this; we as the IFA are the voice of Iowa Firefighters, so how can we single out our brothers and sisters across the states who aren’t members. Yes, I hope that this win brings our membership numbers back up. The board will always fight for the good of Iowa’s volunteer firefighters, members or not. I will ask just one thing of everyone reading this article; please reach out to your neighboring departments, both in and around your county, just to make sure they know about this awesome benefit.
We as the IFA have a pretty good system of communication within our membership but we need a little help informing outside of the membership. One thing I would like to see is at least one IFA contact, member or not, in all 99 counties. If you are willing to step up, please send myself or Taylor an email with your contact information; as always, if you have any questions, please contact me.
Jason Barrick,
IFA Past President
Dear Volunteer Firefighters of Iowa, The Iowa Firefighters Association presented an idea for a tire bill at the beginning of the 2023 legislative assembly. The idea was to save the volunteer firefighter’s money by using the states buying power to put tires on a vehicle they use when responding to calls. With the hard work of the Iowa Firefighters Association board and our lobbyist John & Cyndi Pederson the idea made it all the way to the governor’s desk to be signed into law and went into effect July 1, 2023.
What this means for volunteer firefighters of Iowa. House file 603 allows Iowa volunteer firefighters the opportunity to purchase a set of new tires using the states discounted rate. This bill provides that a volunteer emergency services provider shall be authorized to purchase no more than one set of tires every 3 years under a master contract for tires established by the department of administrative services (DAS). The bill defines a volunteer emergency services provider as a volunteer firefighter, a person performing the functions of an emergency medical care provider who is not paid full-time.
If authorized by the fire chief, the enrolled volunteer firefighter may purchase four vehicle tires every three years through the fire department or municipality’s contract to purchase tires under the state discount authority. The firefighter must have served at least three full years of duty to receive this benefit. The authorization must be on Fire Department or Municipality letterhead. There is an example on the Iowa Firefighters Association web site under the legislation tab. The volunteer firefighter shall be responsible for all related costs that are associated with the purchase of the set of tires. The purchase can only include passenger or light truck tires and tires cannot be purchased for commercial use. The discount only applies to tires that are under the state contract.
The firefighter can choose the tire shop of their preference to purchase the tires. There are only certain tires on the state contract and this contract will cover all vehicles but not every size or style of tire out there. Some tire shops may not deal with government sales so you might have to go with a second choice.
For the tire shops, you can treat this as any other net state or government sale. For this to work it must be billed under the municipality the fire department is under. The firefighter will have to pay the invoice in full at the time of completion. The invoice must include all tires (at the discounted rate) parts, labor and taxes. If you have any questions, please reach out to me and I will help any way I can.
I would like to thank all of the Senators and House Representatives for working with the Iowa Firefighters Association and supporting the volunteer firefighters of Iowa.
Best regards,
Jason Barrick,
IFA Past President 2022-2023, Hardin County Tire Manager 641-373-1999
IFA Board of Directors Chuck Raska, President Roger Carr, 1st Vice
Aaron Clemons, 2nd Vice Kent Brix, 3rd Vice
Mike Kime, 4th Vice
Rick Schmidt, 5th Vice
IFA Tire Program Q & A
What is the Tire Program? House file 603 allows Iowa volunteer firefighters the opportunity to purchase a set of new tires using the state’s discounted rate every 3 years.
When does this go into effect: July 1, 2023
Who can utilize the tires? If authorized by the fire chief, the enrolled volunteer firefighter may purchase four vehicle tires every three years through the fire department or municipality’s contract to purchase tires under the state discount authority. The bill defines a volunteer emergency services provider as a volunteer firefighter, a person performing the functions of an emergency medical care provider who is not paid full-time. The firefighter must have served at least three full years of duty to receive this benefit.
What vehicle can I put these tires on? The bill defines a “vehicle” as a personal vehicle owned by the volunteer firefighter used to respond to a fire.
Where can I purchase tires? The firefighter can choose the tire shop of their preference to purchase the tires. Some tire shops may not deal with government sales so you might have to go with a second choice.
What kind of tires can I purchase? The purchase can only include passenger or light truck tires and tires cannot be purchased for commercial use. The discount only applies to tires that are under the state contract. There are only certain tires on the state contract and this contract will cover all vehicles but not every size or style of tire out there.
How often can I purchase tires? This bill provides that a volunteer emergency services provider shall be authorized to purchase no more than one set (four tires) every 3 years under a master contract for tires established by the department of administrative services (DAS).
What costs am I responsible for? The volunteer firefighter shall be responsible for all related costs that are associated with the purchase of the set of tires. The firefighter will have to pay the invoice in full at the time of completion. The invoice must include all tires (at the discounted rate) parts, labor and taxes.
What information does the tire shop need? You will need the department Fire Chief to sign off on the authorization form to give to the tire shop. For the tire shops, you can treat this as any other net state or government sale. For this to work it must be billed under the municipality the fire department is under. The firefighter will have to pay the invoice in full at the time of completion. The invoice must include all tires (at the discounted rate) parts, labor and taxes.
How does a chief authorize this purchase: The authorization must be on Fire Department or Municipality letterhead. There is an example on the Iowa Firefighters Association web site under the legislation tab.
What is going to stop this from being abused? The Fire Chief is responsible for signing off on the firefighter to purchase tires. This form is to be filed in the firefighters personnel file at the Fire Chiefs office.
If you have any questions, please reach out to me and I will help any way I can.
Jason Barrick
IFA Past President 2022-2023
641-373-1999