Here's another press release from the office of state Rep. Keith Gillespie, R-Hellam Township.

State Rep. Keith Gillespie (R-Hellam), a certified emergency medical technician (EMT) and paramedic, was pleased to see the General Assembly pass and send to Gov. Ed Rendell's desk a bill on Friday that would provide tax breaks for emergency responders.

"We are seeing a significant decline in the number of volunteer firefighter, rescue and
emergency medical personnel," said Gillespie. "In addition to rewarding current emergency responders, this legislation will hopefully offer further incentive to individuals considering joining local response teams."

House Bill 377 includes a provision for a credit of $100 to be applied against the state
personal income tax liability of constituents who are active with a volunteer ambulance service or volunteer fire or rescue company. A point system will be established to set annual requirements for certification of active volunteers.

"The point system will take into account the level of involvement as an emergency
responder in measuring eligibility for the credit," Gillespie added. "Those individuals who are certified benefit from the tax break and the citizens they serve in turn benefit from a more experienced and involved public servant available in their time of need."

Gillespie is chairman of the House Firefighters and Emergency Services Caucus.
Before running for office, he spent 32 years in the health care field and became one of the first certified paramedics in Pennsylvania through a national pilot program in 1972.