(ALBANY, NY) The Firemen's Association of the State of New
York (FASNY) is pleased that Governor Andrew Cuomo has signed critical
legislation addressing the growing decline in volunteer firefighters across the
State. The bill (S.7589-B / A.9779-A) was sponsored by Senator James Gaughran
and Assembly Member Fred Thiele.
The new law creates a New York State Recruitment and
Retention Task Force that will study challenges to recruiting and retaining
volunteer firefighters. Its mission is to develop recommendations and policy
changes to assist fire departments across the state in boosting their ranks.
“There has been an alarming decrease in the number of
volunteer firefighters in New York State in recent years,” said FASNY President
John P. Farrell. “The ongoing pandemic, and this summer’s hurricane, have
highlighted the crucial role that volunteer first responders play on the front
lines of local and state emergencies. We applaud Governor Cuomo for signing
this important public safety legislation that will enable us to better serve
the citizens of our State. We also wish
to express our thanks to Senator Gaughran and Assembly Member Thiele for their
strong leadership and hard work in the passage of this vital bill.”
The role of the volunteer fire service has grown in both
frequency and complexity in recent years.
In addition to protecting lives and property, volunteer firefighters
play a central role in emergency response during natural and manmade disasters.
This legislation convenes key decision makers and stakeholders to identify
long-term solutions that will fortify the ranks of volunteer firefighters
through achievable recruitment policies and programs.
"Volunteer firefighters are the lifeblood of our
community. They bravely serve with distinction and without remuneration,” said
Senator Jim Gaughran. “These essential
workers have been on the frontlines of combatting the COVID-19 pandemic, a
crisis that has only further exacerbated our volunteer fire force's depleting
ranks. This legislation will provide critical assistance in the recruitment and
retention of volunteer firefighters and I thank Governor Cuomo, Assemblyman
Thiele and FASNY for their partnership on this initiative."
"As Chair of the Assembly Local Governments Committee, and a representative whose district is solely served by these dedicated volunteers, I am pleased that the Governor signed this important measure into law,” Assemblyman Fred Thiele stated. “I worked closely with FASNY and Senator Gaughran in advancing the Volunteer Firefighter Recruitment and Retention Task Force bill that will bring together key decision makers from relevant state agencies, firefighter associations and policy makers. Now, more than ever, it is crucial to ensure that the next generation of volunteer firefighters are in place and ready to serve on the frontlines during an emergency. "
The task force will be composed of key stakeholders from the
fire service, the Executive branch, the Legislature and state agencies. It will meet throughout 2021 and produce a
report with a series of recommendations on policy changes, new programs and
incentives to increase both volunteer firefighter recruitment and retention.
In addition to the public safety benefits it provides, the
volunteer fire service saves taxpayers in New York over $5 billion
annually. If the State’s volunteer fire
service needed to be replaced by an all-career force, the State and its
residents would face both a massive cost increase and a significant public
safety burden. The goal of this legislation is to ensure that the State plays a
meaningful and cooperative role in recruiting the next generation of volunteer
fire service personnel.
A link to the legislation can be found at: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2019/s7589/amendment/b