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NVFC Director of Government Relations Dave Finger, Congressman John Larson (D-CT), NVFC Connecticut Director John McAuliffe, Eric Bernard of the Maryland State Firemen's Association, and Lucian Deaton of the International Association of Fire Chiefs

On October 17, NVFC Connecticut State Director John McAuliffe called on Congress to pass the Volunteer Responder Incentive Protection Act (H.R. 943) at a hearing held jointly by two subcommittees of the House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee. H.R. 943 would prohibit the federal government from taxing benefits provided to volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel by state and local units of government.

 

“Volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel are essential to our nation’s safety and security,” said McAuliffe. “A 2004 study revealed that volunteer first responders save American taxpayers $37.2 billion per year. Without volunteer first responders, many communities simply would not be able to afford to provide firefighting and emergency medical services at all.”

 

Over the past 20 years, the number of volunteer firefighters in the country has decreased from about 900,000 to about 800,000. To enhance retention and recruitment efforts, state and local governments have started providing volunteer first responders with benefits. The federal government taxes these benefits as income, diminishing their value and undermining their intended purpose. Additionally, federal taxation of volunteer benefits places a significant administrative burden on units of government in small communities.

 

The services provided by volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel are vital to our nation’s safety and security. Considering the challenges of retention and recruitment, benefits are needed to preserve and increase the ranks of volunteers.

 

The NVFC supports H.R. 943 and will work toward its passage through Congress. Read the testimony.