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Reminder - IRS Tax Exemption for Firefighters - link

"Make a Difference - Become a Volunteer Firefighter. "

Click here for a poster

The Volunteer Fire Service Needs YOU!

Neighbors helping neighbors...
the volunteer fire service.

Have you ever thought of becoming a volunteer firefighter?

Minnesota's Volunteer Fire Departments are always looking for people who are interested in becoming part of a special team. Enjoy a rewarding experience and make new friendships, all while serving the community you live in and protecting your neighbors.

No experience is necessary... all volunteers will receive the equipment and training required for the job, at no cost to 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:

Be a high school graduate
Have a valid drivers license
Be able to use computers and have some math and science courses
Be healthy and in good physical condition
If you are in high school, check to see if your local fire department has a Fire Explorer program. Many previous Fire Explorers have gone on to become fire fighters in their communities.
Take courses at a Minnesota State College or University.
Thirteen Minnesota State Colleges and Universities offer Firefighter I and Firefighter II courses.
Hennepin Technical College, Lake Superior College, and Northland Community and Technical College offer a two-year BAAS degree.

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

Checkout the Recruitment page;
Recruitment Page

Station Links
http://msvfa.org/links_mn_fd.html

The Firefighters that operate this Fire Boat are Volunteers. You could be part of the Greenwood Fire Department Marine Division also.

Statewide Volunteer Firefighter Retirement Plan by the LMNC

click here

Statewide Volunteer Firefighter Retirement Plan

Plan explanation from PERA

click here

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

LIST OF EVENTS

Events Scheduled - Calendar - Click here

January 30 - 31 2010

Fire Service Educators Professional Development Conference
January 30 - 31, 2010
Kelly Inn and St Cloud Civic Center
Instructors Helping Instructors
Register Now!!

February 27th 2010
Join the American Lung Association of Minnesota for the climb of your life. Participate in this vertical road race to the top of downtown Minneapolis Accenture Tower, and help us fight lung disease.
Click here for details

NATIONAL BENEFIT SUMMIT
MAY 19TH, 20TH & 21ST, 2010
FAIRLAWN, OHIO
The National Benefit Summit is an annual meeting which provides a forum to discuss and compare benefits for (primarily volunteer) Emergency Service Organizations from across the U.S. Held in a different location each year, representatives from each state association are invited to attend and share their benefits, concerns and ideas.

More Events...

Gag Orders

Does your fire departments have a rule or policy that infers that you as a firefighter can not speak to anyone about what is going on in regards to fire protection activities?

Is so you should know that your rights are most likely being violated.

If you are interested in becoming part of the time honored profession in the USA, please email us at webmaster@msvfa.org and we will assist you in contacting a volunteer fire department in your area and answer any questions you may have.

Checkout the Recruitment page;
Recruitment Page

Fire Stations
http://msvfa.org/links_mn_fd.html

Become a member of the
MSVFA and support the Volunteer firefighters.

The MSVFA strongly encourages every volunteer firefighter to join the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC)
Click here to join the NVFC

SAFER Grant Information

On March 6th, 2009 the Minnesota State Volunteer Firefighters Association (MSVFA) was awarded a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant to develop and conduct a recruitment and retention study of the volunteer fire service throughout the State of Minnesota. details here

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

Join the MSVFA

FREE One Page Calendar
2009 - click here 2010 - click here

Member Benefits

HEV High Voltage / SRS Shut Down Procedure Field Guide

When ordering MSVFA members can use our promo code and receive a 10% discount. Click here to get our code.

Cancer Awareness

The big "C" word cancer. What are you doing to prepare or protect yourself?
Click here for more info....

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

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

Message Archive Menu - Message

More About MSVFA...

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.

Reminder - IRS Tax Exemption for Firefighters - link

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