Supporting Emergency Responders Volunteer Efforts (SERVE) Act

The NVFC strongly supports the passage of the Supporting Emergency Responders Volunteer Efforts (SERVE) Act, which would provide a $1,000 annual tax credit for active members of volunteer fire and EMS organizations.

 

A $1,000 tax credit for volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel can serve as an important recruitment and retention tool for local volunteer fire departments who are struggling to meet increased the demands placed on them.  With the ranks of the volunteer fire service decreasing over ten percent in the last 20 years, the Federal government should provide a small incentive to these brave men and women who risk their lives for little or no compensation to help reverse this trend. In fact, the cost of this tax incentive to the Federal government would be quite small compared to the estimated $37.2 billion annual cost savings provided by the volunteer emergency services.

 

Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) introduced S. 857 on April 22, 2009. Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) introduced companion legislation (H.R. 2601) on May 21, 2009, along with 12 original cosponsors.