For decades, Pennsylvania’s police officers and firefighters have answered the call when their communities needed them most. They worked nights, weekends, holidays, and in dangerous conditions to protect our neighborhoods, respond to emergencies, and keep our families safe. Yet many of these dedicated public servants now find themselves struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living in retirement.

The members of Susquehanna Valley FOP Lodge #52 represent municipal law enforcement officers serving seven counties in north-central Pennsylvania: Columbia, Clinton, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, and Union. Our lodge includes more than 250 active and retired members from towns, townships, boroughs, and cities throughout the region. Membership also includes officers and deputies from county sheriff’s departments, county detective bureaus, adult and juvenile probation agencies, and college and university police departments. Together, these professionals have dedicated their careers to protecting our communities and serving the public.

Our lodge strongly supports House Bill 1289 and Senate Bill 344, legislation that would provide much-needed Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA) for retired police officers and firefighters.

Inflation has dramatically increased the cost of groceries, housing, utilities, fuel, medical care, and everyday necessities. While these costs continue to rise, many retired first responders are living on pensions that have remained largely unchanged for years. These retirees are not asking for special treatment. They are simply asking that the value of the retirement benefits they earned through years of public service not continue to erode.

Over the past two months, I have personally contacted members of the Pennsylvania House and Senate, asking them to support these important bills. To date, I have received only one response. Representative Joe Hamm has advised that he supports the House bill, and I appreciate his willingness to stand with retired first responders. Unfortunately, I have not yet received responses from the other elected officials I contacted.

The lack of response is disappointing, but it also highlights why public awareness and citizen involvement are so important. Retired police officers and firefighters devoted their careers to serving others. Many put their personal safety on the line every day. Some missed family gatherings, birthdays, and holidays while protecting the public. They upheld their commitment to their communities, and now we are asking our elected leaders to uphold their commitment to those who served.

This issue should not be viewed as partisan. Supporting retired first responders is a matter of fairness, respect, and honoring promises made to those who dedicated their lives to public service. House Bill 1289 and Senate Bill 344 recognize that reality.

I encourage residents throughout our region to contact their state representatives and senators and ask them where they stand on these bills. Let them know that supporting retired police officers and firefighters is important to you. Public servants who spent their careers protecting Pennsylvania deserve the dignity and financial security that a reasonable Cost-of-Living Adjustment can provide.

The men and women who protected our communities have earned our support. Now is the time for Pennsylvania’s elected officials to show theirs.

Robert Burns II is vice president of the Susquehanna Valley Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police and retired from Old Lycoming Township Police Department.