The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners today announced a real estate
tax credit for active firefighters and EMS volunteers who reside in the county. Under the Real
Estate Tax Credit Ordinance, volunteers may be eligible for a tax credit up to $250. The tax
credit ordinance acknowledges the value and dedication of our volunteers and will help to
retain and attract new volunteers.
Cumberland County is the first county in the state to implement an ordinance providing a real
estate tax credit for active firefighters and EMS volunteers.
“This tax credit is very important for our volunteers who spend countless hours dedicating their
time to saving lives,” said Commissioner Gary Eichelberger. “They are a vital part of our
community, and we need to retain the expertise of these men and women.”
This tax credit for volunteers provides financial incentives in the form of credits against
Cumberland County Real Estate Tax, excluding the Library Tax.
“As we work to implement this program for our volunteers, we call upon the other 66 counties
in Pennsylvania to adopt a tax credit for their firefighters and EMS volunteers,” said
Commissioner Jean Foschi.
Eight of the counties’ 33 municipalities have adopted a similar tax credit for volunteers
including Hampden, Lower Allen, Upper Allen, Silver Spring, and South Middleton Townships,
Carlisle, Lemoyne, and Wormleysburg Boroughs.
“Firefighters and EMS volunteers in good standing for at least six months during the timeperiod of Jan. 1 through Nov. 30 are encouraged to apply,” said Commissioner Vince DiFilippo.
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“The written certification needs to be submitted to the Cumberland County Commissioners
Office, and volunteers need to apply every year to take advantage of the tax credit.”
Active volunteers who were injured during a response to an emergency call and can no longer
serve as an active volunteer because of an injury, are eligible for the tax credit for the
succeeding five tax years.
“This is a historic opportunity to recognize the value of our volunteer firefighters and EMTs,”
said Jerry Ozog, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Fire & Emergency Services Institute.
“Cumberland County is the first county In Pennsylvania to offer the volunteer emergency
responder tax credit.
There will be a coordinated outreach designed to share the application process at volunteer fire
and EMS stations across the county. Applications for the tax credit for firefighter and EMS
volunteers will be available in the coming weeks. For more information visit
www.ccpa.net/5023.
Editors’ Note:
Special thanks to the Emergency Services Honor Guard – South Central Region, Members of the
Hampden Township Good Hope Fire Station, the Hampden Township Commissioners and the
active firefighters and EMS volunteers
Original source can be found here.
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