Legislations aims to address the ongoing challenge of recruiting and retaining volunteer first responders

OCEAN TOWNSHIP - In an effort to address the shortage of volunteer first responders in the state, Senator Vin Gopal (D-Monmouth) joined Assemblywoman Margie Donlon (D-Monmouth) and Assemblywoman Luanne Peterpaul (D-Monmouth) to introduce a new package of legislation aiming to provide incentives for the recruitment and retention of volunteer first responders.

The legislation, comprising three bills, would provide tuition credit, partial property tax exemption, and gross income tax credit to qualifying volunteer first responders. These bills are a part of the legislators’ ongoing commitment to address the shortage of volunteer first responders in the state. 

“Our volunteer first responders are the backbone of our community, ensuring our safety, security, and wellbeing. As a former volunteer EMT, I can attest to the countless hours our first responders put into training and education to ensure that they are able to provide the most comprehensive emergency services possible,” said Senator Gopal. “It is our responsibility to support the personal growth of our volunteer first responders by providing opportunities for education and to aleve the burden of affordability. As a member of the Special Task Force on Volunteer Retention and Recruitment, I worked with volunteer first responders, legislators, government officials, and nonprofits to determine the best steps forward. This legislation will ensure the retention of first responders for at least four years as they engage in educational opportunities.” 

Currently, New Jersey is increasingly reliant on volunteers to serve as firefighters and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), resulting in a statewide shortage of volunteers despite rising cases of emergency calls. Under the new bill S2385, volunteer first responders are eligible to receive tuition credit of up to $1,250 per year to go towards county college, county vocational school, or county technical school for up to four years. Those engaging in this program pledge to provide a minimum of four years of service to their respective volunteer fire company or volunteer first aid or rescue squad.

The second piece of legislation in this package, SCR82, authorizes municipalities to provide partial property tax exemption up to ten percent on the primary residence of volunteer first responders. 

“Affordability is a key concern for all New Jerseyans,” said Assemblywoman Donlon. “If the current trends continue, municipalities will be forced to hire paid personnel or regionalize their emergency service efforts at the expense of taxpayers. We need to ensure that our first responders are able to serve our communities without the fear of not being able to afford living in their homes. This bill will not only support our volunteer first responders, but ensure that taxpayers do not have to carry the cost of emergency services.”

The final piece of legislation, S2386, calls for gross income tax credit for volunteer first responders who utilize their personal vehicles when responding to an emergency situation. The measures of this bill seek to ensure that volunteer first responders are compensated for the resources utilized in responding to emergency services that went beyond the expectation of the role. 

“Our volunteer first responders are taking every measure possible to ensure they are responding to crises as fast as possible, and sometimes that requires the use of their personal vehicles on their own dime,” stated Assemblywoman Peterpaul. “Those dimes add up. By passing this legislation, we will be able to provide volunteer first responders with the appropriate tax credit corresponding to their documented mileage. Together, Senator Gopal, Assemblywoman Donlon, and I are committed to supporting our volunteer first responders to promote a safer and healthier New Jersey.”

The legislation, comprising three bills, would provide tuition credit, partial property tax exemption, and gross income tax credit to qualifying volunteer first responders. These bills are a part of the legislators’ ongoing commitment to address the shortage of volunteer first responders in the state. 

“Our volunteer first responders are the backbone of our community, ensuring our safety, security, and wellbeing. As a former volunteer EMT, I can attest to the countless hours our first responders put into training and education to ensure that they are able to provide the most comprehensive emergency services possible,” said Senator Gopal. “It is our responsibility to support the personal growth of our volunteer first responders by providing opportunities for education and to aleve the burden of affordability. As a member of the Special Task Force on Volunteer Retention and Recruitment, I worked with volunteer first responders, legislators, government officials, and nonprofits to determine the best steps forward. This legislation will ensure the retention of first responders for at least four years as they engage in educational opportunities.” 

Currently, New Jersey is increasingly reliant on volunteers to serve as firefighters and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), resulting in a statewide shortage of volunteers despite rising cases of emergency calls. Under the new bill S2385, volunteer first responders are eligible to receive tuition credit of up to $1,250 per year to go towards county college, county vocational school, or county technical school for up to four years. Those engaging in this program pledge to provide a minimum of four years of service to their respective volunteer fire company or volunteer first aid or rescue squad.

The second piece of legislation in this package, SCR82, authorizes municipalities to provide partial property tax exemption up to ten percent on the primary residence of volunteer first responders. 

“Affordability is a key concern for all New Jerseyans,” said Assemblywoman Donlon. “If the current trends continue, municipalities will be forced to hire paid personnel or regionalize their emergency service efforts at the expense of taxpayers. We need to ensure that our first responders are able to serve our communities without the fear of not being able to afford living in their homes. This bill will not only support our volunteer first responders, but ensure that taxpayers do not have to carry the cost of emergency services.”

The final piece of legislation, S2386, calls for gross income tax credit for volunteer first responders who utilize their personal vehicles when responding to an emergency situation. The measures of this bill seek to ensure that volunteer first responders are compensated for the resources utilized in responding to emergency services that went beyond the expectation of the role. 

“Our volunteer first responders are taking every measure possible to ensure they are responding to crises as fast as possible, and sometimes that requires the use of their personal vehicles on their own dime,” stated Assemblywoman Peterpaul. “Those dimes add up. By passing this legislation, we will be able to provide volunteer first responders with the appropriate tax credit corresponding to their documented mileage. Together, Senator Gopal, Assemblywoman Donlon, and I are committed to supporting our volunteer first responders to promote a safer and healthier New Jersey.”