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June Message From The MSVFA Chair Cal Larson - Message
                   Ethanol Hazards and Safety Concerns

The Volunteer Fire Service Needs YOU!

Becoming a Volunteer Firefighter is a long honored tradition of this country.

What does it take to become a Volunteer?

Most cities and towns set their own requirements; check with your local fire department. However, many departments want you to:

Find a fire department that serves (map) your area near you - click here  pdf (925kb)

Legislative Victory: Congress Passes Volunteer Responder Incentive Protection Act (VRIPA)

The language that passed in H.R. 3648 exempts all tax benefits provided by state and local units of government to volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel from taxation by the federal government. Additionally, the first $360 per year of any other type of benefit that a volunteer receives would be exempted from taxation.

VRIPA originally passed the House of Representatives on November 6, as part of H.R. 3997. Then the Senate inserted the VRIPA language into H.R. 3648. All throughout this process, the MSVFA has been contacting U.S. Senators and Representatives to advocate passage of the provision.

Cancer Awareness

The big "C" word cancer. What are you doing to prepare or protect yourself? Click here for more info....
FREE 2008 One Page Calendar - click here
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Message from the MSVFA Chair Cal Larson

The Minnesota State Volunteer Firefighters Association welcomes all to the association and our fluid website. MSVFA is committed to the individuals concerns and needs at the local, state, and national level. At the local level, we will help with your needs as a firefighter. At the state and national level, we will work hard on issues that affect volunteer and paid on call firefighters regarding legislation and policy in the fire service.

This has become necessary in Minnesota as the volunteer and paid on call firefighters do not have a voice that is working specifically for the largest portion of the fire service, YOU! 75% of the firefighters in Minnesota are volunteer and paid on call individuals.

Again, welcome to the MSVFA.

Cal Larson

Chair of the MSVFA

Messages from the MSVFA Chair

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More About MSVFA...

July 4th 2007:

Why a "volunteer firefighters" association?

That question is a natural one to ask and an easy one to answer. Other professional people are associated for the same reason, COMMUNICATIONS and SUPPORT.

Minnesota has no organization that has as its "main focus" the rank and file volunteer or paid-on-call firefighter.
  • The MSFCA represents Chiefs Issues.
  • The MSFDA represents Department issues.
  • The MPFF represents Career firefighter issues.
THESE ARE ALL GREAT ORGANIZATIONS. THE MSVFA ENCOURAGES YOU TO JOIN THE ASSOCIATION THAT REPRESENTS YOUR INTERESTS.
 
The MSVFA strives to create and environment where professionalism abounds. Having good old fashion competition between members is a great way to practice every day skills and have some fun with family and friends. We believe this will have a positive impact on recruitment. Check out the competition menu item below.

You are acquainted with the operations of your department but so many times important outside information seldom finds its way to the rank and file firefighters of a fire department. By becoming an active member you can have information come directly to you. You need MSVFA to keep this line of communication open.

We share information on recruitment and retention, personnel and labor issues, relationships with management, equipment changes, problem fires, methods of funding, social activities and many other subjects. We will work to help "you" with issues in your organization.

We worked together on legislation that affects the Volunteer Firefighter and the Fire Service. The MSVFA worked for firefighters in Washington DC on the Federal level with our representatives to Congress as well as our State Lobbying. Going to bat [hard ball] lobbying in Washington DC for legislation like HR 943 -  S. 1466 and other legislation that benefits volunteers. 

HR-943   Volunteer Responder Incentive Protection Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income and to exempt from social security, unemployment taxes, and withholding of tax requirements rebates of real or personal property taxes or any other benefit provided by a State or local government to a member of a volunteer emergency response organization providing firefighting or emergency medical services.

Thousands of dollars will now stay in the volunteer firefighters pocket and not go for federal income tax.  The MSVFA will work for you in Washington DC on any federal bills that would help our state volunteer firefighters and the fire service over all.

MSVFA Chair Cal Larson and the Board of Governors invite you to become an active member of the MSVFA.

The MSVFA strongly encourages every volunteer firefighter to join the NVFC. Click here to join the NVFC

More About MSVFA...

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The MSVFA WILL represent YOU and YOUR issues as a firefighter. 






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