MERCER TWP — Supervisors will hear comments on the proposed Volunteer Service Credit Program Ordinance at the next meeting.

The public may speak about the ordinance at the Jan. 21 meeting, before the supervisors vote on the measure.

Rick Stuchal, board chairman, said the supervisors were following Harrisville borough's lead to help support the Harrisville Volunteer Fire Company.

“It's agreed among the supervisors that it's a good thing to give back to those guys that do that volunteer work,” Stuchal said.

The program offers financial relief through additional tax refunds for qualified volunteer firefighters. The amount given for the credit is set by individual municipalities.

Firefighters need to qualify for the credit. Qualification is based on number of calls, up-to-date certifications and hours of service, among others.

Stuchal said he guessed that about 30 to 40 percent of the firefighters in the department are township residents.

“If you look at a firefighter in these volunteer companies, they spend a lot of their personal time to certify and qualify,” he said. “There's a lot of hours put in that the general public doesn't really realize that are put in other than fighting fires and accidents.

“It's gives them a little something back,” Stuchal said. “It's minimal, but a little bit of compensation for their time.”