COLUMBIA, S.C. - A plan to let parents get a tax break to help send their kids to private school could cost firefighters $15 million a year in money used for training and education.

The money, collected as a tax on premiums insurance companies collect, provides benefits that are as especially important to help volunteer departments retain firefighters.

"It's kind of the glue, the bond, that holds the fire service together," said Jim Bowie, executive director of the South Carolina Firemen's Association. "To not be able to give them incentives ... makes it more difficult" to recruit.

Lawmakers said any effect on firefighters funds was unintended and they will try to change that part of the bill.

The bill, which supporters call Put Parents in Charge, would let insurance companies make donations to private schools and deduct those gifts from the amount they pay the state in premium taxes. Those taxes are earmarked for the firefighters.

"It was inadvertent," said Rep. Jim McGee, R-Florence, a member of the Ways and Means committee. "It can be easily cleaned up ... and will be cleaned up."

The state Revenue Department officials said they knew of no other industry in which taxes were earmarked for specific spending.

The school tax credit is a key part of Gov. Mark Sanford's legislative agenda. Sanford spokesman Will Folks said he was open to an amendment to preserve firefighters' money.

"The governor is still committed to giving parents more choices," Folks said.

Some fire departments use their money to fund retirement benefits for firefighters and some use it for station amenities that keep volunteers active.

"I spent a lot more time at the station house because there was a pool table," said Columbia Fire Chief Bradley Anderson, a former volunteer.

Insurance premium taxes also provide money for the South Carolina Fire Academy and the State Fire Marshal's Office.

The school tax credit bill is scheduled for another hearing before the Ways and Means Committee next week. Firefighters planned to travel to the Statehouse to lobby legislators for a change to preserve their funds.