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03/28/2024 01:49 PM
Pennsylvania State Senate
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20150&cosponId=18771
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Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2015 - 2016 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: July 31, 2015 02:15 PM
From: Senator Rob Teplitz
To: All Senate members
Subject: Legislation – Giving Tax Credit to Wildland Firefighters and River Rescuers
 
In the near future, I will introduce legislation providing the option of a tax credit to wildland firefighters and river rescuers who are members of a crew or team and have volunteered during the taxable year.

Wildland firefighters are volunteer firefighters responsible for the safety and well-being of Pennsylvania’s forests. Each year, wildfires burn thousands of acres of land. Wildland firefighters respond to these fires, preventing them from further damage to our land and potentially harm to our neighborhoods.

Unlike traditional volunteer firefighters, wildland firefighters require lightweight, nomex clothing, as well as boots and a helmet. Since they fight fires in the forests and mountains, wildland firefighters need specialized tools and use all-terrain vehicles and utility terrain vehicles in addition to trucks and vans to carry hoses and pumps. They spend hundreds, even thousands, of dollars on clothing, tools, and transportation so that they can protect our land.

The River Rescue is an all-volunteer organization that provides water safety education, as well as water rescue, ice rescue, emergency response, and emergency boat operations. Additionally, the dive team responds to underwater criminal investigations, forensic recovery and rescue operations.

River rescue team members must purchase their clothing including dry-suits, helmets, boots, and gloves, as well as thermal underwear and other gear to keep warm. They must also buy equipment such as poles and throw bags. Members often pay thousands when joining a river rescue team and then must pay for the upkeep of their belongings.

Please join me in supporting our wildland firefighters and river rescue teams by giving them the option to apply for a tax credit (maximum $500 per year) to offset the personal costs of volunteering.



Introduced as SB999