Help may be on the way for those who volunteer their time – and sometimes risk their lives – to help others.

The state Senate has passed a package of bills offering tax credits and tuition reimbursements for volunteer emergency responders.

The bills have been referred to the state House. Taken together, some say those measures could help address chronic staffing shortages among the volunteer ranks.

“I think it would be a tremendous idea to give these people perks, as long as it’s not abused,” said Gary Thomas, Somerset Volunteer Fire Department chief.

Volunteer fire organizations, which cover all municipalities in Cambria and Somerset counties except the city of Johnstown, have struggled for years with skyrocketing equipment costs and rising training standards.

Those factors, along with social and demographic changes, have combined to leave many departments with skeletal rosters and little cash.

“Manpower is at an all-time low,” said Jay Daniels, Riverside Volunteer Fire Company chief.

A 2004 state Senate report suggested a variety of measures to stimulate emergency services’ membership and revenue.

Some of those same ideas have made their way into the bills passed by the Senate. The benefits would apply to qualified volunteer firefighters or members of volunteer ambulance services:

• A state income-tax credit that would start at $100 and rise to $500 within five years.

• A local income-tax credit of up to $400, though each municipality would have to opt into the program.

• Tuition reimbursements, at a rate of 50 percent per credit, for college undergraduate courses.

• A $1,000 state tax credit for businesses that employ an emergency volunteer full-time; the bill offers up to $5,000 per employer annually.

That statute would reward business owners who allow employees to respond to emergency calls or attend training during the work day, said state Sen. John Wozniak, D-Westmont.

“Many small communities are depending on a shrinking number of volunteers,” Wozniak said in a prepared statement. “We can’t let that continue.”

To be eligible for these benefits, volunteers would have to show that they are active in all aspects of their organization. Considerations include the number of calls a volunteer responds to as well as his or her participation in training, administrative and fundraising functions.

Many fire companies already maintain those records, local chiefs said.

But few of those companies have been able to maintain or increase their membership rolls, despite their best efforts.

Some have used innovative methods: Dauntless Fire Company in Ebensburg soon will offer a free gym membership to those involved in the organization.

“Maybe that will spur a few people to come in,” said Dauntless Chief Dale Makin, who applauded the passage of the Senate bills.

He said the proposed tax credit for employers could address a problem area for many fire companies.

“The daylight hours are probably our biggest concern as far as manpower,” Makin said.

Some of the Senate bills have been referred to the House Finance Committee.

State Rep. Dave Reed, an Indiana County-based Republican, is a member of that committee. He said such relief measures have been debated for years.

“It is encouraging that the Senate has narrowed it down to a couple different proposals,” Reed said.

He added that, while many fire companies are struggling, they remain a vital part of most municipalities.

“Let’s face it,” Reed said. “There are a lot of small communities out there that just cannot survive without volunteer fire departments.”

Daniels, whose department also runs one of the area’s few remaining volunteer ambulance services, said residents should urge their local House members to pass the incentive bills.

“The volunteer fire departments represent a lot of people in this commonwealth,” he said.



In a nutshell

What: Legislation providing financial incentives for volunteer emergency responders.

What’s happening now: The state Senate has passed four such bills.

What’s next: Consideration by the state House.

Why it’s important: Many volunteer fire companies are struggling with low manpower and high costs.