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NVFC Opposes Volunteer Firefighters Fairness Act

Published Date: 08.23.2011

The National Volunteer Fire Council ( NVFC) is formally opposing the Volunteer Firefighters Fairness Act (H.R. 2630), which was introduced on July 22 by then-Representative David Wu (D-OR), who resigned from Congress earlier this month. The bill, which remains active, would classify volunteer firefighters as independent contractors for the purpose of taxing benefits that they receive as recruitment and retention incentives. The NVFC Board adopted a resolution at the annual spring meeting earlier this year opposing the concept of redefining volunteer firefighters as contractors.

The NVFC is concerned that passage of H.R. 2630 would shift a tax and reporting burden that is currently shared by the department and the volunteer entirely onto the volunteer. Additionally, in many states, volunteer firefighters qualify for Worker’s Compensation based on their status as employees. Several NVFC state member associations have expressed concern that formally designating volunteer firefighters as independent contractors rather than employees could jeopardize the ability of volunteers to qualify for Worker’s Compensation.

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