Press Releases :: October 1, 2009

Baldwin Supports First Responders

Baldwin and Reichert Aim to Extend Tax Benefits for Volunteer Firefighters and EMS Personnel

Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Congressman Dave Reichert (R-WA) this week introduced legislation to continue federal tax benefits to volunteer firefighters and other emergency responders. Tax incentives help state and local governments attract and retain volunteer first responders, who serve approximately 38 percent of our country’s population and save American tax payers roughly $40 billion a year with their service, according to the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC).

In 2007, Congress passed a measure exempting from taxation certain benefits (up to $360 per year) for volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel. In the almost two years since this legislation was signed into law, these benefit protections have proven to be a tremendous help for volunteer emergency responders and the communities that rely on their service.

Unless Congress acts, these benefit protections for volunteer first responders will expire next year. Congresswoman Baldwin and Congressman Reichert’s bill, the Volunteer Responder Incentive Protection Reauthorization Act (H.R. 3666), extends the ability of volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel to exempt taxable benefits provided by state and local units of government until 2013, and increases the annual cap to $600.

“Volunteer firefighters and emergency responders provide an invaluable service to their communities and the American people,” said Congresswoman Baldwin. “I am pleased to lead legislation with Congressman Reichert that will benefit these brave Americans, and will encourage volunteer service across the country,” Baldwin said.

“As a former first responder, I understand the perils and risks that they take each day to do their job of protecting our communities,” said Reichert, who sits on the House Ways and Means Committee. “Encouraging volunteer service through tax relief of this nature is critical to the safety of our citizens, as many communities do not have enough resources to confront the challenges they face. So I enthusiastically join Congresswoman Baldwin in working to preserve benefits for these volunteers. Each day, they put their lives on the line to serve others, and this is a great step Congress can take to show our gratitude to each of them,” Reichert said.

“In order to retain and recruit volunteers, many state and local governments across the country provide them with modest benefits. Federal taxation of these benefits diminishes their incentive value and discourages communities from offering benefits of any type,” NVFC Chairman and Wisconsin State Director Philip C. Stittleburg said. “I would like to thank Congresswoman Baldwin and Congressman Reichert for introducing this important legislation to extend tax exemptions on benefits provided to volunteer emergency responders by state and local units of government,” said Stittleburg.

“The majority of fire service personnel in [the state of] Washington are volunteers, and the majority of fire service personnel who protect the significant population, land mass size and critical infrastructure of Washington are volunteers,” added Fire Chief John Sinclair, International Association of Fire Chiefs Board Member and Emergency Manager of the Kittitas Valley Fire & Rescue in Ellensburg, Washington. “They perform these tasks with little to no compensation. Representative's Reichert and Baldwin's bill affords volunteers this one small payback, not by compensating for their heroism, bravery or time, but by honoring their service to our communities. I thank Representative's Reichert and Baldwin for their continued support of America's volunteer fire service,” Sinclair said.

The Volunteer Responder Incentive Protection Reauthorization Act has been referred to the House Ways and Means Committee.