At the Capitol, legislation would provide tax credits for volunteer firefighters and EMTs.
The majority of the state's hundreds of fire departments rely on volunteers, but state Senator Pat Testion of Stevens Point notes it's getting tougher to attract and retain them -- with notable consequences: "In 2006 the average age of a volunteer firefighter was 50 years old. It is now approaching 60. In that same time frame, call times have tripled."Town of Campbell Fire Department Chief Nate Melby is President of the Wisconsin State Fire Chiefs Association: "When we think about what it means to be a volunteer first responder, we have to think about what would happen if we needed people and we couldn't staff those departments. What would happen if we had a call and no one came?"The bill would allow volunteer firefighters and EMS workers to receive refundable tax credits for equipment purchases, education and travel.