Assembly Honors Volunteer Firefighters And Ambulance Workers Day

Special Legislative Agenda Recognizes Service Of Emergency Rescue Personnel

To mark the Assembly's Third Annual Volunteer Firefighter and Ambulance Workers Day, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Local Governments Committee Chair Robert Sweeney announced the expected Assembly action this afternoon on a 13-bill legislative package to recognize and assist the effectiveness of the state's volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers.

"The Assembly feels a strong sense of gratitude to these highly trained men and women who so unselfishly give of their time and skills for the well being of others. Their talents and sense of duty provide the daily safety and life-saving services our communities depend on. The legislation we consider today will not only assist these volunteers to become even more effective in what they do, but it also will respond to the sacrifices required in their personal lives," said Silver.

"We honor those who serve as volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers for their courage and dedication to such a demanding service. They perform their calling with bravery and commitment while ignoring the risk and peril of the dangers they find themselves facing. I salute them for their exceptional commitment to serving the public," said Sweeney (D-Lindenhurst.)

The Assembly Volunteer Fire and Ambulance Worker legislative package includes legislation that would: authorize fire companies to receive reimbursement for hazardous material response (A.7279-C); require municipalities and fire districts to provide defense and indemnification for firefighters for action occurring in the line of duty (A.1600-A); and ensure that volunteer ambulance companies have insurance coverage for mutual aid responses (A.8974-A).

"As a former volunteer firefighter myself, I am certainly aware of the important service volunteer firefighters provide to our communities. Unfortunately, we do not take time often enough to thank these local heroes for all their hard work and dedication. I will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure that these volunteers are recognized for their tireless community service and that they are provided with all of the resources, equipment and training necessary to perform their jobs and protect our citizens," Assembly Majority Leader Paul Tokasz (D-Cheektowaga) said.

"I can't think of a higher calling of public service than to risk one's life for the protection of others and that is what these men and women of the volunteer firefighter and ambulance services do. Day in and day out, they stand at the ready, volunteering their time and skills for the protections of our homes, communities and neighborhoods. They are a special group of people who deserve our appreciation and gratitude for their outstanding service," said Assemblyman William Magee (D-Nelson).

"As Chair of the Governmental Operations Committee, I am pleased the Assembly has put together this package of legislation in honor of Volunteer Fire and Ambulance Worker's Day," said Assemblywoman RoAnn Destito (D/WF-Rome). "When we face an emergency, we look to the men and women who make up our volunteer fire companies and ambulance squads to take charge and protect us, this legislation recognizes and commends their efforts."

"We owe our volunteers a tremendous debt of gratitude for the work they do in keeping our communities and citizens safe," said Assemblywoman Amy Paulin (D-Scarsdale). "I'm proud to recognize their hard work and achievements."

In addition, the Assembly also will approve a bill that would permit emergency vehicles to have free access to the New York State Thruway (A.1994) and a resolution calling on the governor to proclaim May 14 through May 20 as "Emergency Medical Services Week in New York State" (K.1988).

"The resolution in our legislative package honors the brave men and women who have dedicated their lives for the health and safety of our communities. These individuals provide outstanding service, and their extraordinary achievements have saved thousands of lives. This resolution pays tribute to New York State's Emergency Medical Services systems and to all those, volunteer or career, who respond 24 hours a day to a community's call for emergency care," said Assemblyman Phillip R. Ramos (D-Central Islip).

The day will also include resolutions honoring First Assistant Chief Richard J. Gimbl of the Holbrook Fire Department as recipient of the 2006 Firefighter of the Year Award from the Firemen's Association of the State of New York and Mr. Robert Franz of the Huntington Community First Aid Squad for his EMS Leadership Award from the New York State Volunteer Ambulance and Rescue Association

To ensure the state's emergency services personnel has the equipment they need to respond effectively to emergencies, the Assembly also approved a resolution urging Congress to examine issues related to providing priority access to wireless communication services for first responders (K.1840).

"We cannot afford to have our emergency service providers' communication abilities obstructed by wireless congestion when lives are on the line," said Assemblyman Paul Tonko (D-Amsterdam). "This resolution urges the federal government to provide the leadership and resources to ensure all of New York State's first responders receive the vital information necessary when responding to an emergency."

"This package is a common-sense approach to ensuring our volunteer firefighters and emergency personnel have the resources they need to protect and serve our families," said Assemblywoman Francine DelMonte (D-Lewiston). "And with this legislation, we are honoring the self-sacrifice and heroism of the brave men and women who keep us safe everyday."

As part of the budget passed earlier this year, the Legislature passed a $200 per person income tax credit for volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers. (A.9560-B)

Earlier this year, the Assembly also passed A.568 (Magee) that would provide fire districts with notice of tax certiorari filed on property located within the districts' boundaries; A.5414 (Ramos) that would require the State Office of Fire Prevention and Control to make firefighter training available by video or computer to the maximum extent practicable; and, A.9956 (Sweeney) to extend provisions related to the certification of EMTs.

Note: Below is a complete list of the Assembly 13-bill package of Volunteer firefighter and ambulance worker legislation.

Assembly Legislative Package 2006

Volunteer Firefighters and Ambulance Workers Day

A.1600-A (Sweeney) - Requires municipalities and fire districts to provide defense and indemnification for actions taken by volunteer firefighters, provided that the acts did not involve willful negligence or malfeasance.

A.1994-A (DelMonte) - Requires the Thruway Authority to develop a process to ensure free access for ambulances and fire trucks responding to emergencies.

A.7279-C (DiNapoli) - Provides reimbursement to fire companies for costs associated with responding to spills of hazardous materials.

A.8974-A (Paulin) - Clarifies provisions related to mutual aid provisions for volunteer ambulance companies.

A.10011 (Tokasz) - Makes fire and ambulance companies eligible to receive funding from the Local Government Records Management Fund.

A.10279 (Canestrari) - Expands the eligibility criteria for the Volunteer Recruitment Service Scholarship.

A.10384 (John) - Creates a presumption relating to certain lung disabilities incurred by volunteer firefighters.

A.10500-A (Magee) - Clarifies the ability of fire districts to purchase uniforms for certain emergency rescue and first aid squads.

A.10649 (Sweeney) - Increases the death benefits provided to the families of certain volunteer firefighters killed in the line of duty.

A.10724 (Sweeney) - Requires the State Office of Fire Prevention and Control to publish provisions related to State-administered training programs.

A.10725 (Sweeney) - Authorizes fire and ambulance companies to make cooperative purchases from the Emergency Services Revolving Loan Fund.

The package also includes several bills authorizing real property tax exemptions for volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers in various municipalities including:

A.9146-B (Zebrowski) - Rockland County

A.9619 (Bradley) - Westchester County (school taxes)

The package also includes four resolutions:

K.1840 (Tonko) - Urges Congress to examine issues related to providing priority access to wireless communication services for first responders.

K.1988 (Ramos) - Memorializes the Governor to proclaim the week of May 14-20, 2006 as Emergency Medical Services Week in New York State.

Honors Richard Gimbl as 2006 FASNY Firefighter of the Year

Honors Robert Franz as recipient of the EMS Leadership Award from the NYS Volunteer Ambulance and Rescue Association.