Arnold councilman to propose tax credit for volunteer firefighters, hopes New Ken and Lower Burrell follow suit

Arnold Councilman George Hawdon aims to encourage and reward volunteer firefighters through a tax relief proposal that could include neighboring communities.

Hawdon said he plans to put forth a proposal in April that would give people volunteering as Arnold firefighters a tax credit of either 100% of the city real estate tax paid on a primary residence in the city or a percentage of the earned income tax they pay to the city.

Act 172 of 2016, approved by the state Legislature and signed into law by then-Gov. Tom Wolf, gives municipalities the power to provide such tax relief.

The law was seen as a way to help curb the statewide decline in the number of volunteer firefighters, who receive no pay, by recognizing and rewarding the valuable service they provide in protecting lives and property.

“There is a great deal of work that comes with that (firefighter) commitment,” Hawdon said at council’s March meeting, noting the long hours of required training as well as time spent raising money to fund fire company operations.

“This would be limited only to active firefighters,” Hawdon said. “It does not include social members. It does not include life members.

“There are fewer than 20 individuals (in Arnold) who would be eligible for this.”

“It’s not that much of a burden,” Hawdon said. “And, even if it was, when you consider what we’d have to pay if we paid for the service, it’s a bargain.”

Eligibility for the credit would be spelled out through criteria listed in Act 172, such as the number of calls a firefighter answers and the level and hours of training he or she participates in.

Since the law was enacted, a number of municipalities have put the tax credit in effect, but Arnold is not one of them.

According to Hawdon, New Kensington and Lower Burrell also don’t offer the tax credit.

Getting Arnold’s two sister cities on board in providing the credit could be a key to making it all work.

That topic was broached by Chris O’Leath, public information officer at Arnold Volunteer Fire Company No. 2, who asked about having reciprocity with the neighboring communities.

A New Kensington resident, O’Leath pointed out there are many volunteers like himself — who live in one community but volunteer for fire companies in another — who could be denied the tax credit because of their residency.

Hawdon said he would look into that and approach officials in New Kensington and Lower Burrell about forging a joint agreement that would cover such situations.

“The idea has been presented at the Intergovernmental Council,” Arnold No. 2 Chief Eric Gartley said. “It makes sense, because we are constantly working in each others’ districts.”

“It’s a step in the right direction,” O’Leath said to Hawdon.