Important federal legislation that would benefit the volunteer fire service is pending in the Senate and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) needs your help to ensure that it passes before the end of the year. The bill, S. 1466, would prohibit the federal government from taxing benefits provided to volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel by state and local units of government. The definition of "benefit" is broad enough to include any sort of payment made to a volunteer.

The Joint Committee on Taxation estimates that this measure will save volunteers $1.6 billion over 10 years. In arriving at this figure they estimated that the number of volunteers receiving benefits will increase dramatically if the burden of federal taxation is lifted.

The NVFC urges you to contact your Senators to impress upon them the urgent need to pass the bill this year. In conversations with these offices, it is important to point out the vital role that volunteers play in your states, including the number of volunteers and any other statewide statistics you have available to you.