Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (I, D, WF-Sag Harbor) announced that legislation he sponsored has been signed into law by Governor Cuomo. The bill, A.9849-A/S.7111-B, provides for authorized absences for members of volunteer fire departments and volunteer ambulance squads who respond to a declared state of emergency.

Assemblyman Thiele sponsored this legislation on behalf of the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY). It amends the Labor Law to provide for authorized leave for volunteer firefighters or ambulance squad members for State or locally declared emergencies who are engaged in the actual performance of his or her duties as an emergency responder. It is designed to ensure volunteer firefighters and EMS responders do not lose their jobs because they were late or missed work while performing their duties during a State or locally declared state of emergency.

Assemblyman Thiele stated, “Whether it be a natural disaster like Superstorm Sandy or a man-made disaster like brush fires, my constituents depended upon the volunteers who responded at a moment’s notice to provide necessary emergency services. As the demand for these dedicated men and women continues to rise, they should be fully confident that their jobs are not in jeopardy when they are called upon to protect and serve our communities in a time of crisis.”

This legislation, together with the provisions of its chapter amendment A.10138/S.7877 which was also signed into law, further provides that the leave of absence provisions set forth in this section shall only apply if the employer received prior written documentation by the head of the employee’s volunteer fire department or volunteer ambulance squad notifying the employer of the employee’s status as a volunteer firefighter or volunteer ambulance service member and that the employee’s duties as a volunteer firefighter or volunteer ambulance service member are related to the declared emergency.