WASHINGTON — An act supporting an income tax credit for volunteer firefighting and EMS agencies was introduced to help recruit and retain personnel.
Rep. Richard Hanna (R- N.Y.), along with a bi-partisan group of original co-sponsors, introduced the Supporting Emergency Responder Volunteer Efforts (SERVE) Act to the U.S. House on May 21. If passed, it would create a $1,000 income tax credit for members.
“Volunteer emergency services professionals donate hundreds of hours of their time every year training and responding,” said NVFC Chairman Kevin D. Quinn. “The services provided annually by volunteer firefighters alone are worth approximately $140 billion.
“By providing a financial incentive for people to volunteer the SERVE Act will boost local efforts to recruit and retain volunteer personnel, improving public safety in thousands of communities across the country while building national preparedness capabilities.”
NVFC is urging firefighters to visit its Engage Action Center to contact their U.S. Representative to ask them to co-sponsor the legislation.