Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The need for volunteer firefighters became painfully evident this week during a horrific apartment complex fire in the village of Springville.
A dozen fire companies were called in to assist, along with Mercy EMS
and 10 ambulances.
Back in the 1970s when Springville Fire Chief Marc Gentner first joined the department, he said there were waiting lists to join. Today, they're begging for help.
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Volunteer firefighter ranks are thin everywhere. It's not just a matter of having time, but the training requirements are much more intense than ever before.
A group of Erie County legislators want to reward emergency responder volunteers for their service and sacrifice.
"We are proposing that once a volunteer firefighter has reached two years of service, they would be eligible to receive a ten percent reduction in their assessed value on their Erie County property tax," said Erie County Legislator Chris Greene (R-Clarence). "Essentially, it's a ten percent reduction in their Erie County property taxes. Once they have reached twenty years of service, they would be eligible for lifetime benefits."
Greene hopes it doesn't just benefit volunteers, but also encourages more people to volunteer.
"If you look over the past 22 years, there were 125-thousand volunteer firefighters across New York State. We are now down to 75-thousand. In general volunteering is down. Service organizations are all struggling. But if we lose our volunteer fire companies, then the only option is to create paid fire services in municipalities. Property taxes would skyrocket," he added.
As for whether this proposal has bipartisan support, Greene said he believes it will. "I want to see this get passed. Governor Kathy Hochul has already indicated her support for it and I think Democrats in Erie County are going to support this as well.
Greene encourages people to find out who your legislator is and send them an email. "It doesn't need to be anything extraordinary. Just a simple line that says I support our local volunteer fire companies. I support 10% tax relief for them. I hope you will too."
Here is the proposal from the Erie County Legislature Republican Caucus:
REPUBLICAN LEGISLATORS INTRODUCE LAW GIVING RELIEF TO
VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS AND AMBULANCE WORKERS
Law establishes property tax exemption for volunteer first responders
Members of the Erie County Legislature Republican Caucus today unveiled plans to provide property tax exemptions for volunteer first responders. The local law exempts up to 10% of the assessed value of their primary residence for members who have served a minimum of two years. This effort follows an
amendment to NYS Real Property Tax Law signed last month that provides for the property tax exemption.
“Our emergency responder volunteers serve our community in so many ways. They make significant sacrifices, and providing them some relief on their tax bill is the right thing to do,” said Minority Leader John Mills (11th District).
In order to be eligible for this exemption, the volunteer firefighter or ambulance worker must live in the community that is served by the district, and the exemption is only for a residential property that is the volunteer’s primary district in which they serve.
“I’ve seen firsthand the dedication and sacrifice of these first responders,” said Legislator Frank Todaro (8th Dist.). “I was a volunteer firefighter in Lancaster. These men and women answer the call day and
night. We are safer because of them.”
“I know many volunteer fire companies struggle with recruitment and retention. This is one way we can help,” said Leg. Christopher Greene (6th Dist.). We saw in the recent storm the countless ways they
contribute to the betterment of our communities.”
The measure provides a lifetime exemption benefit to anyone who achieves 20 years of service and extends the lifetime exemption benefit to spouses of deceased first responders with at least 20 years.
“The volunteer fire companies and first responders perform an incredibly important service. They deserve thanks and recognition for their sacrifice. This is one way to do that,” said Leg. Jim Malczewski (10th Dist.).
Introducing this law is the first step in a process that will include public input. Republican lawmakers hope for full legislature support.