The S.E.R.V.E. Act of 2005

The S.E.R.V.E. Act of 2005 is designed to amend the IRS Tax Code of 1986. This amendment would allow a refundable Tax Credit to volunteer firefighters and EMTs of volunteer firefighters.

This bill has been introduced into the US Senate as Senate Bill S625 and the House of Representatives as House Resolution HR 934.

More information of the SERVE act can be found at:

www.volunteerfd.org

The S.E.R.V.E. Act of 2005 - refundable Tax Credit to volunteer firefighters.

Please contact your elected officials in Washington to request their support on this important piece of legislation…….

Remember 75% of the United States volunteer firefighters or 750,000 persons save you and I an estimated $37.2 billion dollars each year in tax relief by dedicating their time and risking their lives to protect property and life. We need your support.

July 6, 2005

The Honorable Congressman Patrick Kennedy
United States House of Representatives 1st District
407 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

Congressman Kennedy:

This letter is a request for your support on House Resolution 934, entitled the S.E.R.V.E. Act of 2005. SERVE stands for Supporting Emergency Responders Volunteer Efforts. Recently this bill was introduced into the House and the Senate (S.625) and it is designed to amend the IRS Tax Code of 1986 which would allow a $1,000.00 refundable tax credit to members of a bona-fide volunteer fire department or emergency rescue squad.

With times becoming more difficult with family and career obligations, volunteers are finding less and less time to devote of themselves. This tax credit would act as an excellent recruitment tool, and the retention rate of volunteers would be just as great. Currently there are approximately 750,000 volunteer firefighters or 75% of all firefighters in the United States consequently saving the country an estimated $37.2billion in annual cost savings. Volunteers respond to structure, wild-land fires, chemical spills, industrial accidents, railway disasters, medical calls, motor vehicle accidents, entrapments, natural disasters and acts of terrorism. A study has indicated that over the past 20 years volunteerism has decreased over 10% and is climbing.

Currently there is no program in place, and most of us do not expect anything for our efforts, for we are a group of people that are set aside from the rest of the population. This tax credit would cost pennies on the dollar for the Federal government if you were to compare the $ 37.2 billion in savings each year generated by our efforts. This bill gives back just a small token of gratitude for those of us that give so much of ourselves.
We are drafting this letter to gain support in Washington on behalf of the Dreadnaught Hook, Ladder and Hose Co. #1. The Dreadnaught Ladder Company is one of 4 chartered fully volunteer fire companies located in Bristol, RI. and we proudly protect approximately 22,000 citizens of this fine community. In addition to that we also protect approximately 10 square miles of navigable waters, 15 miles of coastline, and approximately 4,000 students at Roger Williams University which retains approximately 80% residency on campus. The Bristol Fire Department as well as the Division of Emergency Medical Services handles roughly 2,800 calls on a yearly basis, and each year the call volume grows.

Congressman Kennedy, we are urging your support on this bill, please lobby with your colleagues to gain their support for this most needed piece of legislation. If you would like to speak with us on this matter, The Dreadnaught Hook, Ladder and Hose Company conducts its monthly business meeting on the 1st Wednesday of each month at 8:00 PM at department headquarters. Below you will find a signed list of our members that are requesting your support. We have also taken the liberty to send a similar letter to Senators Chafee and Reed requesting their help as well. In addition to this we contacted the 3 other chartered companies in Bristol, The Hydraulion E-1, Ever-Ready E-2 and Defiance E-3 Companies as well as the Division of Emergency Medical Services requesting that they enact their members to do the same. A letter has been sent to the Bristol Town Council requesting support on their end.

We thank you in advance for your support. If your office deems necessary, you may reach the one of our members that is pressing for this legislation to pass.

Richard T. Giannini
121 Franklin Street
Bristol, RI 02809

With Best Regards:

The Officers and Members of the Dreadnaught Hook, Ladder
and Hose Company #1
Church and High Streets
Bristol, RI 02809

cc: Senator Chafee, Senator Reed