Volunteers Deserve Tax Credits for Their Selfless Community Service

May 2, 2025

For Immediate Release:
Contact: Brenda Alesii, Communications Director, 716-861-7288

Senator Baskin’s Bill Benefits State Volunteer Firefighters and Emergency Medical Personnel

(Cheektowaga, NY) Senator April N. M. Baskin (SD-63) has been a strong advocate for volunteer firefighters and EMS workers across the state. Today, at the Doyle Hose Co #2 in Cheektowaga, Baskin celebrated the submission of the Volunteer Firefighters and Public Safety Bill, which calls for volunteer firefighters and EMTs to receive both state income tax and local property tax credits. Currently, the eligible volunteer can choose just one of the credits.

Senator April Baskin said, “This bill is a call to action. When our brave first responders run into a burning building or work to save a life during an emergency, they think only of helping others. These unselfish men and women put their lives on the line for our communities every day. They deserve credits for both their property and income taxes.”

Additionally, the Senator noted that such credits may incentivize other residents to serve their community in similar roles. According to the Firefighter Association of New York State, more than 80,000 volunteers served throughout the state during the past 20 years. Now, that number has been reduced to 40,000.

Emergency medical personnel numbers continue to dwindle in similar fashion, dropping from 40,000 in 2018 to 33,000 in 2022.

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