Our First Responders Can’t Wait Another 20 Years

Our volunteer first responder system is in trouble.

Usually, they’re the ones helping us at our most vulnerable. This time, we need to help them. For years, fire departments and ambulance corps across New York have struggled to recruit and retain volunteers. With fewer people stepping up to serve, it’s becoming harder for departments to maintain the services our communities depend on. We have approximately 20,000 fewer volunteer first responders today than we did 20 years ago.

Last Saturday, we saw a breakthrough when Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation increasing the tax credit for volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers for the first time in nearly two decades. The credit hasn’t been raised since it was enacted in 2007, when the first iPhone came out. “Long overdue” is an understatement.

The new law, as passed during the 2026 Legislative Session, increases the refundable tax credit from $200 to $800 per volunteer, or $1,600 for married couples filing jointly, beginning in tax year 2026. This is, of course, a welcome increase, but our volunteers deserve more. That’s why Assembly Republicans originally pushed to raise the credit to $2,500 per volunteer.

Unfortunately, that proposal was rejected. And that was after Assembly Democrats had sat on the bill for years. My colleague, Assemblyman Joe Angelino, a volunteer firefighter himself, forced a vote on the more generous Republican proposal. It only reached the floor after weeks of public pressure and negative headlines.

It’s frustrating to see Albany find billions of dollars for illegal migrants and deploying the National Guard to understaffed correctional facilities while debating whether to provide a fraction of that amount to the people who show up when our communities need them. Suddenly, there are limits.

It’s also concerning that although the governor signed the bill, her approval message outlines a forthcoming chapter amendment that would delay the increased credit until tax year 2027 and require volunteers to choose between the income tax credit and a qualifying local property tax exemption. As originally passed, the legislation would have allowed volunteers to claim both benefits. The amendment delays the increased relief and limits the benefit volunteers could receive. This is not the bill we agreed to pass on the floor.

Supporting the future of our volunteer fire companies and ambulance corps means listening to the people behind them. People who have jobs, families and responsibilities of their own, but still choose to give their free time to helping others. This is the first step toward closing that 20-year gap, but there is still plenty of work to do to fully support our volunteers and keep these vital services available in every community across our state. My colleagues and I will keep listening, keep pushing and keep working to get our volunteers the support they deserve.

If you have any questions or comments on this or any other state issue, or if you would like to be added to my mailing list or receive my newsletter, please contact my office. My office can be reached by mail at 19 Canalview Mall, Fulton, NY 13069 and by email at [email protected]. You may also find me, Assemblyman Will Barclay, on Facebook or X at @WillABarclay.