Loebsack’s tour included Kellogg Fire Department

KELLOGG — Ask any volunteer firefighter to describe the age of a department’s equipment, and there are likely to be some older items. That’s what Kellogg Fire Department personnel and other area first responders were able to discuss with U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack on Friday in Kellogg.

Loebsack made a three-stop, one-day tour of rural fire departments in Kellogg, Pleasantville and Corydon, discussing proposed legislation that will provide tax relief for first responders, and listening to concerns about funding and equipment. Adam Gannaway, one of the Kellogg volunteer firefighters, was one of those present as Loebsack looked through some firefighting gear.

“All the gear he just looked at, that’s going to have to be replaced in the next three years,” Gannaway said. “It isn’t simply that it’s old or doesn’t work well. Federal standards mean gear has to be replaced at certain times, and volunteer departments are on very small budgets.”

Loebsack began by announcing he’s one of eight representatives who are co-sponsoring a House of Representatives measure that would provide tax relief for firefighters and other emergency medical personnel. The measure, HR 343, is sponsored by West Virginia Republican David McKinley, who introduced it Wednesday.

The bill was sent to the House Ways and Means Committee.

“This is a bi-partisan bill that would provide an opportunity for the volunteers who make up more than 90 percent of Iowa firefighters,” Loebsack said. “We know you guys don’t do this for the money, but this might make things a little easier.”

A December press release from Loebsack’s office details some provisions of the legislation. According to the chief of the National Volunteer Fire Council the average responder donates services worth more than $18,000 each year. The release also mentions how tough it has become to retain firefighters.

Loebsack said at the meeting that for volunteers whose regular income puts them in the “15 percent” IRS income tax bracket, the credit would be worth about $900.

All of Kellogg’s volunteers must be certified EMTs as well, and several people in attendance Friday told Loebsack the cost and time commitments of training and re-training can be daunting. Gannaway said the department has about 20 firefighters now, having peaked at 25 at one point.

In addition to some other Kellogg firefighters, also in attendance were Jasper County Sheriff John Halferty, Jasper County Emergency Management Director Jim Sparks and Grinnell Fire Chief Dan Sicard.

Halferty pointed out that some communities in Jasper County don’t have EMS personnel, even if there’s a volunteer fire department. That puts more stress on nearby departments to serve that community, he said, and those departments must have the technology and means to quickly get to a scene.

Sparks pointed out that firefighters still need to hold fundraisers such as pancake breakfasts and fish frys in order to purchase equipment. Sometimes, it’s for items many people might see as essential, such as defibrillators. Loebsack objected to that reality — but not to pancakes.

“Everyone knows a politician loves a good pancake breakfast,” Loebsack said, smiling. “But I see what you’re saying — firefighters shouldn’t have to do that anymore.”

Sicard said his city department must venture several miles out into rural parts of Poweshiek County. If one of his department’s vehicles must travel east of Grinnell, that would make it even tougher to provide mutual assistance to, say, Kellogg, or any other areas in eastern Jasper County.

“People expect us to have the latest technology, but that’s tough on a small budget,” Sicard said. “Law enforcement and other agencies have different funding sources, especially if they’re large departments. But for volunteer fire, technology always seems to be on the back burner.”

Loebsack told the first responders he can’t guarantee the bill will make it through Congress quickly — especially with a new Congress, a high federal deficit and so many contentious budget items.

“Don’t ask when it’s going to get passed,” Loebsack said. “I’ll do my best.”

Contact Jason W. Brooks at 641-792-3121 ext. 6532 or jbrooks@newtondailynews.com.