Letter to Douglas H. Shulman, Commissioner Internal Revenue Service

Letter

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer called on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to immediately reverse course and expedite the Camillus Volunteer Fire Department's request for retroactive reinstatement of not-for-profit status that the volunteer department previously held. This status is critical to the viability of the department and its ability to continue to provide life-saving emergency services to Central New Yorkers, because this tax-exempt status plays a major role in the level of public donations and contributions that the department receives, along with funds necessary to support operations. Schumer is urging the IRS to step up to the plate and prioritize the safety and security of local residents and the community's infrastructure by immediately approving Camillus Volunteer Fire Department's application for not-for-profit status.

"The Camillus Volunteer Fire Department has played an important public safety role in Central New York since 1909, and the department must be able to keep its trucks running and its hoses pumping for decades to come," said Schumer. "That is why it's absolutely critical that the IRS retroactively reverse its denial of not-for-profit status for the volunteer fire department, which puts the very existence of the department and the safety of local residents at risk. The IRS's decision to deny Camillus Fire Department not-for-profit status will have a serious impact on the level of donations from the community that help keep Camillus's life-saving operations running. We need to support our local fire operations at every level, and I will fight tooth and nail for this tax-exempt status to be retroactively reinstated."

Schumer was a strong supporter of the Camillus Volunteer Fire Department in their original application for not-for-profit status, and Schumer is urging the IRS to swiftly reconsider their recent denial of the expedited application for tax-exempt status that is critical for the operation of the fire department. Without not-for-profit status, any future donations or public contributions made to the Camillus Volunteer Fire Department could be at risk, and these donations are critical to helping fund emergency services along with the purchase of fire-fighting equipment. Already the fire department has not been able to purchase critical oxygen tanks due to the loss of this tax exempt status. In addition, if the IRS does not retroactively reinstate the not-for-profit status in the immediate future, contributions that the department has already received could have to be returned to donors. In his letter to the IRS, Schumer highlighted that this decision is poorly grounded and is creating serious uncertainty for the safety of the department and the community.

The Camillus Volunteer Fire Department has provided critical emergency services to Central New York since 1909, and Schumer is urging the IRS to reconsider its recent decision that threatens their continued public safety role. The department is made up of volunteers who are trained in both fire and EMS services, and the IRS must retroactively grant not-for-profit status to keep this tradition alive.

A copy of Senator Schumer's letter to the IRS appears below:

Douglas H. Shulman, Commissioner
Internal Revenue Service
1111 Constitution Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20224

Dear Commissioner Shulman:

I write today with great urgency concerning an expedited request for the retroactive reinstatement of the 501(c)(3) status of the Camillus Volunteer Fire Department. The fire department had lost its not-for-profit status and was looking to get it back through expedition, but your office recently denied their request without concern for the health and safety of New Yorkers that depend on these emergency services. Now, the department and Camillus residents could be in jeopardy.

The department has played a major public safety role in Central New York since 1909, retaining volunteers who are trained in both fire rescue and EMS services. Their not-for-profit status is the key to keeping the town safe and protected. I supported the department's original request for expedition and am assisting them in advocating against the recent denial they received.

Both the expedition and the retroactive reinstatement of this not-for-profit status are critical to the town's public safety infrastructure. Without the status and expedition, the public contributions made to the department are in serious jeopardy. These contributions are critical to funding emergency services not covered by monies in the fire protection contracts of the department. Additionally, if the tax-exempt status is not retroactively reinstated, contributions made to the department might have to be returned to donors who want their funds going towards this service. Even worse, fire-fighting equipment, like oxygen tank purchases are being delayed and your office's recent denial has created more uncertainty for the department and the community.

Again, I ask that your agency reconsider the denial to expedite the retroactive reinstatement of the Camillus Volunteer Fire Department's 501(c)(3) status and allow them to continue their great tradition of public safety. The department needs to purchase equipment in order to serve the public and area donors want to help supplement the costs of this fire protection. We should do everything we can to support their effort. Please feel free to contact my office should you require any additional information related to this request.

Sincerely,

Senator Charles E. Schumer

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