| Posted By |
Message |
rkoenke
my little piggys
Member since 3/08 4315 total posts
Name:
rachel
|
Volunteer Fire dept ...
what are the tax benefits, if any, for being a volunteer fire dept / ems employee??
DH is an EMT and wonder if it's worth it for him to join other than the obvious reasons of helping people.
he has done it in the past when he didn't own a home and told me it is very demanding on time and possibly a marriage.
|
Posted 9/14/09 7:54 AM  |
| |
|
Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource | Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate |
Nifheim
allo
Member since 1/09 5476 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
|
Re: Volunteer Fire dept ...
i am not sure of the percentage but it is pretty significant from what I remembered my brother had received.
|
| Posted 9/14/09 8:28 AM |
| |
|
greenfreak
.
Member since 9/06 11483 total posts
Name:
greenfreak
|
Re: Volunteer Fire dept ...
He could probably find out very easily what his required quota would be per month. From what I understand, it's higher now than it used to be to make sure people are joining to help the FD, not just get the tax credit. 
I wish they had that when I was active. Besides the good I did for others, I got no benefits for the years I was an active volunteer!
|
| Posted 9/14/09 10:14 AM |
| |
|
rkoenke
my little piggys
Member since 3/08 4315 total posts
Name:
rachel
|
Re: Volunteer Fire dept ...
Posted by greenfreak
He could probably find out very easily what his required quota would be per month. From what I understand, it's higher now than it used to be to make sure people are joining to help the FD, not just get the tax credit.
I wish they had that when I was active. Besides the good I did for others, I got no benefits for the years I was an active volunteer!
WOW! that stinks!
i also wonder about pensions... he will have to find out about "Double Dipping" if he ever decided to volunteer...
|
| Posted 9/14/09 10:16 AM |
| |
|
kahlua716
3 Girls for Me!
Member since 8/07 12475 total posts
Name:
Keri
|
Re: Volunteer Fire dept ...
DH is in the lindenhurst FD...we would have gotten a 10% tax break. (I'm 99% sure anyway.) However, we bought elsewhere.
ETA: He has to maintain 20%- but it's higher the first few years while on probation
Message edited 9/14/2009 10:35:06 AM.
|
| Posted 9/14/09 10:33 AM |
| |
|
hcsf
LIF Adolescent
Member since 8/07 792 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Volunteer Fire dept ...
Both my husband and I are fire/ems. For the past 2 years we were eligible for a $200 state tax refund each. But just keep in mind. Most of the Tax benefits you must be vested...which means 5 years in the dept.
|
| Posted 9/14/09 10:46 AM |
| |
|
JandJ1224
Member since 6/06 5911 total posts
Name:
Jannette
|
Re: Volunteer Fire dept ...
Town of Islip equals 10% off of assessed value.
My husband vlounteers in west islip.
As far as time - they have meetings/drills weekly and respond to calls. It is a time commitment but as long as they aren't officers it isn't too bad
|
| Posted 9/14/09 10:54 AM |
| |
|
rkoenke
my little piggys
Member since 3/08 4315 total posts
Name:
rachel
|
Re: Volunteer Fire dept ...
Posted by JandJ1224
Town of Islip equals 10% off of assessed value.
My husband vlounteers in west islip.
As far as time - they have meetings/drills weekly and respond to calls. It is a time commitment but as long as they aren't officers it isn't too bad
You can FM me on this question...
does it cut into your time alot? does it put stress on a marriage? This is my DHs fear...
|
| Posted 9/14/09 10:57 AM |
| |
|
LightUpOurLife
Totally in love
Member since 8/06 12785 total posts
Name:
Bonnie-Jean
|
Re: Volunteer Fire dept ...
I can't answer about the tax part of it but my dad was a volunteer growing up in Massapequa. It is like an extended family!!! That benefit alone was worth it!
|
| Posted 9/14/09 11:07 AM |
| |
|
hcsf
LIF Adolescent
Member since 8/07 792 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Volunteer Fire dept ...
Posted by rkoenke
Posted by JandJ1224
Town of Islip equals 10% off of assessed value.
My husband vlounteers in west islip.
As far as time - they have meetings/drills weekly and respond to calls. It is a time commitment but as long as they aren't officers it isn't too bad
You can FM me on this question...
does it cut into your time alot? does it put stress on a marriage? This is my DHs fear...
It really depends on the dept quota system. Atleast the first year is the toughest. Probie schools, drills, Fire School in Yaphank. As a PP mentioned, weekly meetings. It is not easy. I joined when I was 18 (now 34). There is no way I would be able to do it now. I have left dinner, missed family functions many times. Riding an over night shift once a week is rough if that is a requirement of the dept he joins. Each dept/town has different rules. For example, Commack and Hauppauge have separate EMS and FIRE. Whereas other departments are combined. Commack, CI and Huntington EMS have set hours where you are there for your shift.
But on the bright side, you get to meet people in the community. Get to meet the other wifes of the members in his company that have been or are going through the "probie years"
I am honestly so glad that I joined. (never would have met my husband...LOL) But besidees that....I love what I do helping the community. Your husband purely shouldn't do it for the benefits. If he is, than he might want to reconsider.
What town does he live in?
|
| Posted 9/14/09 11:18 AM |
| |
|
JenMarie
One day at a time
Member since 11/07 7397 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
|
Re: Volunteer Fire dept ...
Posted by rkoenke
Posted by JandJ1224
Town of Islip equals 10% off of assessed value.
My husband vlounteers in west islip.
As far as time - they have meetings/drills weekly and respond to calls. It is a time commitment but as long as they aren't officers it isn't too bad
You can FM me on this question...
does it cut into your time alot? does it put stress on a marriage? This is my DHs fear...
Yes, it does cut into your time, which CAN put stress on a marriage. My DH is a volunteer firefighter, and to top it off he is also an officer in his company. Normally a firefighter or EMT will be required to attend training/meetings twice per week (usually 1 night per week from like 7 or 8 to 10 or 11) and a Sunday morning from like 10-12. The days and times can differ among departments. There are also other miscellaneous trainings and classes that may be required. My DHs department also requires online trainings each month. If he wants to be an officer, there are even more meetings. This week alone my DH has meetings tonight and tomorrow and a training on Thursday. Being an officer is a 2nd full-time job for him that he is not paid for.
On top of the trainings and meetings, he will need to respond to a certain percentage of alarms. The actual percentage differs among departments. Last week my DH ran out for an alarm twice when I was about to put dinner on the table. I've had to postpone plans several times because of calls. They are on call days, nights, weekends and holidays. It can be very frustrating.
To answer your original question, we get a $200 credit every year on our taxes. I know there are additional tax benefits for homeowners, but we do not own a home so I can't answer that part. DH will also get a pension, which is not all that much each month. There are also other miscellanous "perks".
It IS very much like having an extended family. Honestly, as much as it stinks sometimes with how much time it requires of DH, I LOVE that he does it. He helps other people and nothing can come close to that feeling.
Feel free to FM if you have any other questions. I'm sure my DH would be more than willing to talk to your DH if he wants to speak to someone about it in more detail.
|
| Posted 9/14/09 6:19 PM |
| |
|
CurlyQ
Member since 6/07 2024 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Volunteer Fire dept ...
In my town, my dh gets no tax break. He only gets $400 towards medical expenses. After 20 years he will collect a little money each month, but nothing that is significant. It is a huge commitment. My dh is an ex-captain and has quite a bit of time invested. There are weekly trainings, monthly meetings for dept and company and gatherings not to mention calls.
|
| Posted 9/14/09 6:27 PM |
| |
|
greenfreak
.
Member since 9/06 11483 total posts
Name:
greenfreak
|
Re: Volunteer Fire dept ...
Posted by hcsf
I love what I do helping the community. Your husband purely shouldn't do it for the benefits. If he is, than he might want to reconsider.
That's really the point for me. Ultimately, it should be about the people you serve and there's a lot that goes into it, rightly so. Many times you have someone's home or life in your hands, so real committment is important.
There's another option to consider. What if both of you join? Many departments didn't require you to ride the truck or the ambulance to be a member. Then you would be at meetings and possibly trainings together.
I was an active volunteer starting at age 17 and it wasn't a problem for me, all the time required. But it was my life, really. I was an officer, department head, on special committees and the board of trustees. All my friends were there, we were together constantly. I wouldn't have traded that time for the world.
Now? It's 20 years later  and I know I couldn't keep up with being an active, riding member of a department. I've considered looking into what we used to call Class II membership which is more administrative. I know I wouldn't get much in the way of benefits but that wouldn't be why I would do it.
|
| Posted 9/14/09 6:47 PM |
| |
|
JandJ1224
Member since 6/06 5911 total posts
Name:
Jannette
|
Re: Volunteer Fire dept ...
what department is it that he would be joining?
|
| Posted 9/14/09 7:20 PM |
| |
|
rkoenke
my little piggys
Member since 3/08 4315 total posts
Name:
rachel
|
Re: Volunteer Fire dept ...
we are moving (when we find a house) to either wantagh / levittown / seaford.
my DH has been a FDNY EMT for 19 years (or 18) now, still there. he is finally off the streets and working at the academy now. he has seen a lot of horrible stuff. he worked in brownsville / bed -stuy and per diem in jamaica. you could imagine some of the things he saw...
he works PT at NUMC ambulance.
he has it in his heart to help people, that isn't the question. he is very reserved and worries about our relationship and family life more than anything else.
we like the idea of moving to a new (old for me, i grew up in levittown but have been removed for years and years) community and meeting people and feeling more part of the community that comes wtih the joining.
it's just a thought right now.
he typically gets harassed to join due to his ems experience...
ETA: edited to add... THANK YOU for yoru responses!!
Message edited 9/15/2009 7:34:41 AM.
|
| Posted 9/15/09 7:33 AM |
| |
|
greenfreak
.
Member since 9/06 11483 total posts
Name:
greenfreak
|
Re: Volunteer Fire dept ...
Wantagh Levittown Volunteer Ambulance Corps was my old department. 
I'm still friends with a lot of the people who rode with me, one of whom is the current Chief of the corps. I also have a friend who was a member of Levittown FD.
You don't need to be x number of miles from the station to join WLVAC. But with the FD, your house's location will dictate which town you can join and what their rules are for membership & benefits.
FM me if you want more details, I'll see what I can do. 
|
| Posted 9/15/09 7:53 AM |
| |
|
