HEROES Act

This bill would let volunteer firefighters and volunteer EMTs count their service toward Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). To qualify, they must serve with a recognized fire department, ambulance service, healthcare facility, or public safety group and not be full-time employees of that same place. The Department of Education would set a minimum amount of volunteer time that counts like a full-time job and create a way to track and verify those hours. A “public safety organization” includes state, local, or tribal agencies, or nonprofits, whose main purpose is protecting life, health, or property. The minimum volunteer time must be at least what the organization requires to be considered an active member.

Key points

• Who is affected: Volunteer firefighters and volunteer EMTs who are not full-time employees of the same organization.
• What changes: Their qualifying volunteer hours could count toward PSLF, once they meet the minimum time set by the Department of Education and follow the tracking and verification process.
• When: After the Department of Education issues rules, in consultation with firefighter and emergency responder groups.