Bresnahan Champions Helping Our Heroes Act to Support Those Who Keep Our Communities Safe

WASHINGTON, DC: Today, U.S. Representative Rob Bresnahan, Jr. (PA-08) along with Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) introduced the Helping Our Heroes Act, honoring and supporting the volunteer emergency responders who step up and risk their lives to protect their communities. This bipartisan legislation would incentivize volunteer work, helping local departments recruit and retain more first responders.

“Every hour that our volunteer firefighters, first responders, and rescue workers give can mean the difference between life and death for their neighbors. This legislation is about honoring that sacrifice,” said Rep. Bresnahan. “A tax incentive for these heroes is just a small way that we can show our appreciation and help ensure our communities have the volunteers needed to keep us safe.” 

“Washington should be doing everything possible to help these brave volunteers,” said Rep. Harder. “The Helping Our Heroes Act is a common sense solution that will reduce shortages and help give first responders the support they need to continue keeping our families safe. We need to pass this into law ASAP.” 

Across Northeastern Pennsylvania and the entire country, small and rural communities often lack the resources to maintain full-time professional fire and rescue departments and instead rely on volunteers who step up to serve. However, these departments are increasingly strained and being expected to do more with fewer resources, leading to challenges in recruitment and retention.  

The bipartisan Helping our Heroes Act would allow volunteer emergency responders, including firefighters, ambulance services, civil air patrol, and search and rescue services, to receive a $20 tax deduction for each hour of service or training, up to 300 hours per year. Importantly, this deduction would be “above-the-line” meaning it would be available even to taxpayers who do not normally itemize their deductions. 

By recognizing the value of volunteer services, the Helping Our Heroes Act provides a meaningful incentive for Americans to continue protecting their neighbors and ensures that our communities have the trained personnel needed to respond when disaster strikes. 

“The National Volunteer Fire Council thanks Reps. Bresnahan and Harder for their leadership in introducing the Helping Our Heroes Act,” said Steve Hirsch, Chairman, National Volunteer Fire Council. “Many volunteer fire departments struggle to recruit and retain firefighters. This can be attributed to a number of factors, including increased mental and physical pressures due to a significant rise in call volumes. Between 2010 and 2020 the number of volunteer firefighters in the United States dropped by 12%. The “above the line” tax deduction created by this important legislation would serve as a key incentive to recruit and retain volunteers and reverse this trend.” 

###