Assemblyman Philip Ramos (D-Central Islip) is proud to announce that he has been appointed to the Assembly’s Volunteer Firefighters Subcommittee.

"As a former emergency medical technician and police officer, I will bring experience and a unique perspective to this subcommittee," Ramos said. "Volunteer firefighters serve a vital role in our community and I look forward to working on issues that benefit these heroic lifesavers. I will make sure the needs of volunteer firefighters aren’t left behind. One of my goals on the subcommittee will be to ensure that volunteer firefighters are completely ready to respond to emergencies."

The Assembly recently released a report, "First Responders: A Last Priority?," the result of a March hearing in Albany on statewide emergency preparedness of local fire, police and EMTs. The report found insufficient funding and a lack of equipment and training for New York’s emergency personnel. The Assembly’s "First Responders: A Last Priority?" report can be viewed at the following Web site: www.assembly.state.ny.us/comm/GovOps/20040426/.

"That report was a real eye-opener," Ramos said. "In a state like New York – which was attacked by terrorists – it is incredibly important that our first responders are adequately prepared. The Assembly is proposing new legislation to provide incentives for recruiting and retaining first responders – the first line of defense in our local communities."

Ramos is also a member of the committees on Aging; Economic Development, Job Creation, Commerce and Industry; Education; Housing; Local Governments; the Black, Puerto Rican and Hispanic Legislative Caucus; and the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force.