Who is impacted?

My parents each served over 25 years as firefighters. They worked nights, holidays, natural disasters - always showing up when others couldn’t. Now retired, they live with the toll. My father, who never smoked a day in his life, has COPD and hearing loss, has undergone back surgery and a hip replacement, and faces more procedures ahead. But this isn’t just about my family. Thousands of retired first responders face similar struggles - worn out from decades of service, but receiving no federal tax relief for what the job did to their bodies and their lives.

What’s at stake?

If nothing changes, we’ll keep watching the people who kept us safe grow old in pain and financial uncertainty. We hand out tax breaks to billionaires, influencers, and corporations - but ignore the paramedics, firefighters, and police officers who sacrificed everything for their communities. That’s not just bad policy. It’s a national disgrace.

Why now?

Because everyone else is getting a break - except the people who actually earned one. Wall Street gets loopholes. Gig workers and influencers write off their wardrobes and internet bills. But a firefighter with 30 years in and a rebuilt spine? Nothing. We say 'thank you for your service,' then ghost them at tax time.

The First Responder Tax Equity Act (FRTEA) is how we fix this. It delivers long-overdue, real tax relief to the people who held this country together. Congress can act - but only if we make enough noise to force their hand.

What We’re Asking For – The Four Pillars of FRTEA

1. Health-Based Tax Credit

Up to $4,000 per year for retired responders with work-related conditions like COPD, spinal injuries, and joint damage.

2. Mental Health Relief

Up to $2,000 per year for responders suffering from PTSD and job-linked trauma.

3. Lifetime Service Recognition

$2,500 per year for any retired responder with 20+ years of service - no medical diagnosis required.

Because showing up for two decades is the sacrifice.

4. Support for Survivors & Volunteers

Includes credits for surviving spouses of fallen responders, and a $1,000/year credit for volunteer firefighters and

EMTs with 10+ years of service.

Volunteers show up for every emergency, too - just without the paycheck. If we exclude them, we’re saying their sacrifices didn’t count. We’re not doing that.

The Fine Print (So No One Gets It Twisted)

- Responders who qualify for multiple credits can only claim the highest-value credit each year (excluding survivor/volunteer add-ons).

- This policy is IRS-ready and cost-effective, using existing tax systems - no massive new bureaucracy required.

Why It Matters?

This isn’t charity. It’s earned. It’s payback. We have a social contract with those who run toward danger. It doesn’t end when they hang up the uniform. If we can afford tax breaks for yachts and luxury real estate, we can damn sure afford one for them.

Sign now and tell Congress: It’s time to protect the people who protected us.