Showing posts with label volunteer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label volunteer. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 23, 2019

Volunteer Responder Incentive Protection Act (VRIPA) Introduced


by: Sendator Benjamin L.Cardin (D - MD

Washington, D.C. - April 23, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, and Susan Collins (R-Maine), the Chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, introduced the Volunteer Responder Incentive Protection Act (VRIPA), bipartisan legislation to enhance communities’ ability to recruit and retain volunteer firefighters and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel.

“Local communities depend on the public service of volunteer firefighters to stay safe and secure. These modest changes will make it easier for communities across Maryland and nationwide to recruit and retain the bravest men and women who are ready to defend against whatever might come next,” said Senator Cardin. “Protecting our communities from harm is one of the most basic functions of government.”

“Across our nation, volunteer firefighters play a critical role in helping to ensure the safety of our communities and the well-being of our neighbors. Maine is largely a rural state, and more than 90 percent of firefighters are volunteers. Without these public-spirited citizens, many smaller communities would be unable to provide firefighting and other emergency services at all,” said Senator Collins. “This bipartisan bill would protect cost-effective incentives that support the brave men and women who volunteer to protect their communities, and I urge our colleagues to join us in supporting the Volunteer Responder Incentive Protection Act.”

“I’d like to thank Senator Cardin for introducing this bill exempting volunteer benefits from being taxed by the federal government,” said Eric Bernard, a volunteer firefighter in Rockville who also serves as the Executive Director of the Montgomery County Volunteer Fire-Rescue Association. “Recruitment and retention of volunteers is a major challenge for fire and EMS agencies in Maryland and across the nation. Passage of the Volunteer Responder Incentive Protection Act will make it easier for communities to offer incentives to their volunteers.”

“Call and volunteer emergency responders are absolutely critical in a predominantly rural state like Maine,” said Ken Desmond, President of the Maine State Federation of Firefighters. “We thank Senator Collins for introducing this important legislation, which will support our efforts to maintain uniform and effective emergency response services throughout the State of Maine.”

In order to bolster recruitment and retention, many fire and EMS agencies now provide benefits, including non-monetary gifts, reductions in property taxes, per-call payments, stipends, or retirement benefits. The Volunteer Responder Incentive Protection Act would allow communities to provide volunteer firefighters and EMS workers with up to $600 per year of property tax reductions or other incentives, without those benefits being subject to federal income tax and withholding. This would ease the administrative burden that local departments sometimes face when they reward their volunteers with minor benefits.

The U.S. Senate Finance Committee has introduced the Retirement Enhancement and Savings Act, which incorporates VRIPA authored by Senators Cardin and Collins.

Click HERE to read the full-text of the bill.

Friday, October 6, 2017

Statement on ALPA Pilots Assisting in Recent Hurricane Recovery Efforts

by The Air Line Pilots Association

Washington, D.C. - October 6, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- The Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) president Capt. Tim Canoll issued the following statement today after the latest efforts by ALPA pilots to assist in the aftermath of recent hurricanes that caused massive damage and displaced citizens across Texas, Florida, and Puerto Rico:

“Over the past several weeks, there have been numerous examples of pilots, airlines, and aviation employees working together to provide support to those impacted by hurricanes and flooding. The latest example took place today at Newark International Airport, where United Airlines pilots volunteered their time to fly a humanitarian mission composed of over 300 specialized union volunteers, as well as much-needed supplies, to Puerto Rico in order to assist in efforts to rebuild the U.S. territory.

“ALPA’s United pilots were instrumental in orchestrating this important flight, along with the AFL-CIO, the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. I salute them all for their collective efforts and commitment to their fellow Americans.

“Every day, pilots usher passengers and cargo safely to destinations around the world, and during difficult times like these it’s heartening to see that professionalism and experience bring support and supplies to areas in need.

“We are grateful for all the ALPA pilots at numerous airlines who have dedicated their time and resources recently, and applaud their continuing efforts to lift up our profession and each other.”

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents over 57,000 pilots at 33 U.S. and Canadian airlines.