releases: https://web.archive.org/web/20140222222500/http://schwartz.house.gov/press-release/schwartz-presses-irs-protect-volunteer-firefighters
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://web.archive.org/web/20140222222500/http://schwartz.house.gov/press-release/schwartz-presses-irs-protect-volunteer-firefighters | Schwartz Presses IRS to Protect Volunteer Firefighters | 2013-12-18 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | PA | Allyson Schwartz | S001162 | web.archive.org | legacy | Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Allyson Y. Schwartz (PA-13) today called on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to protect Pennsylvania’s volunteer fire departments from an unnecessary and potentially harmful health insurance burden. In her letter, Schwartz urged IRS Acting Commissioner Daniel I. Werfel to clarify the tax status of volunteer firefighters and volunteer emergency workers under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The IRS now treats many firefighters and emergency medical workers, whether they are volunteer or paid, as employees for federal tax purposes. Starting in 2015, the health care law will require employers with 50 or more full-time employees to provide health insurance or pay penalties. “I urge you to act swiftly to ensure that volunteer fire departments across the country have clarity regarding the application of the Affordable Care Act to volunteer firefighters,” Schwartz wrote. “Congress clearly intended ACA insurance requirements to apply to employees, not volunteers. Requiring communities to provide health care benefits to volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians may simply be unaffordable for many communities. This could create a dangerous situation, whereby communities are forced to eliminate critical volunteer positions, endangering the safety and welfare of their residents.” In Pennsylvania, 97 percent of fire departments rely exclusively or mostly on volunteers, the fourth-highest level in the nation, according to the 2012 National Fire Department Census conducted by the U.S. Fire Administration and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Throughout her tenure in Congress, Schwartz has fought to ensure Pennsylvania’s firefighters receive the care and treatment they have so bravely earned. Schwartz is proud to serve as a member of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus. As part of her continued efforts to support Pennsylvania's first responders, Schwartz has worked to increase funding for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Program. She has advocated on behalf of fire companies in the 13th District in their successful efforts to secure this critical grant funding. Since 2001, Assistance to Firefighters Grants have provided more than $6 billion in assistance to first-responder organizations to obtain emergency response equipment, protective equipment, firefighting and emergency vehicles, and training. Schwartz supports the Protecting Volunteer Firefighters and Emergency Responders Act (H.R. 3685) and intends to cosponsor the legislation. The full text of Schwartz’s letter follows: December 18, 2013 The Honorable Daniel I. Werfel Acting Commissioner Internal Revenue Service 1111 Constitution Avenue NW Washington, DC 20224 Dear Acting Commissioner Werfel: As U.S. Representative of Pennsylvania’s 13th Congressional District, I urge you to act swiftly to ensure that volunteer fire departments across the country have clarity regarding the application of the Affordable Care Act to volunteer firefighters. In my district and throughout Pennsylvania, our communities rely on the thousands of individuals who generously serve their fellow citizens by volunteering as firefighters and emergency medical technicians. More than 90 percent of fire departments in Pennsylvania—more than 1,600 departments—are staffed entirely by volunteers. An additional seven percent of Pennsylvania’s fire departments rely partially on volunteers to carry out their mission and serve their local communities. Although many volunteers are provided with nominal benefits, these individuals typically serve their communities without the expectation of being provided with significant compensation or health care coverage by the departments for which they volunteer. I have heard from my constituents that there is currently confusion as to whether these volunteers should be classified as “employees” under the Shared Responsibility provision of the Affordable Care Act (ACA)—a classification that would require these volunteers to be provided with health insurance benefits in exchange for their service. Congress clearly intended ACA insurance requirements to apply to employees, not volunteers. Requiring communities to provide health care benefits to volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians may simply be unaffordable for many communities. This could create a dangerous situation, whereby communities are forced to eliminate critical volunteer positions, endangering the safety and welfare of their residents. I urge you to quickly issue clarifying guidance ensuring that the thousands of Pennsylvanians volunteering for their communities may continue to serve their fellow citizens. Thank you for your attention to this important matter. Sincerely, Allyson Y. Schwartz Member of Congress ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |