Legislation to Make Volunteer Firefighters, Ambulance Workers Eligible for Property Tax Exemptions After Two Years of Service

To ensure that Nassau County’s volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers receive the maximum property tax exemption allowable under a recently amended state law, Nassau County Legislature Minority Leader Kevan M. Abrahams (D – Freeport) and his Minority Caucus colleagues have proudly introduced legislation that will make firefighter/ambulance workers eligible for property tax exemptions after completing two years of volunteer service.

The previous eligibility threshold was five years of service. On Friday, Jan. 20, the seven members of the Minority Caucus filed legislation that would opt Nassau County into a state law, enacted in December 2022, that allows volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers to apply for up to a 10-percent exemption on the assessed value of their property (exclusive of special assessments) after completing two years of service. Volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers must live in the community served by their volunteer organization to qualify for this exemption.

Days after the Minority Caucus filed its legislative proposal, the Majority Caucus re-filed the proposal on Monday, Jan. 23 with all 19 legislators as sponsors, all but guaranteeing passage.

“The Minority Caucus is deeply appreciative of the commitment that our courageous volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers demonstrate as they serve and protect the residents of Nassau County on a daily basis,” Minority Leader Abrahams said. “We are gratified that our proposal appears on track for unanimous approval, and we look forward to providing an incentive that will make Nassau County more affordable for our selfless volunteers and encourage more people to step up and answer the call of community service.”

—Submitted by the Nassau County Minority Caucus