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Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2017 - 2018 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted:	February 28, 2017 02:27 PM
From:	Senator Andrew E. Dinniman
To:	All Senate members
Subject:	Volunteer Firefighters Length of Service Program (LOSAP)

In an effort to increase recruitment and retention efforts in volunteer fire companies throughout the Commonwealth, I will soon re-introduce legislation (SB1097) to establish a Volunteer Firefighters Length of Service Award Program. This legislation amends Title 35 (Health and Safety) to establish a Volunteer Firefighters Length of Service Award Program (LOSAP), a system to provide tax-deferred income benefits to active volunteer members of a fire service. A LOSAP can be used as a tool to ensure retention of existing volunteer members and to provide incentives for recruiting new volunteer firefighters. The bill will also ensure that funds are available for the assistance and protection of volunteer firefighters in order to provide necessary training and life preserving safeguards. A number of states have laws authorizing LOSAP-type plans, following a model which involves annual minimum of training/service hours with financial credit given towards a LOSAP program. I hope you will join me in co-sponsoring this legislation.

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