Our Volunteer Firefighters and EMS, Neighbors Helping Neighbors By Senator Jim Tedisco

In emergencies, seconds count, and when they occur, our law enforcement, paid full-time firefighters, ambulance workers, emergency medical services (EMS) and our volunteer departments are always there for us.

Along with our police and full-time firefighters, our volunteer departments are the lifeblood of what’s job number one in public service -- public safety.

Currently, we have a dearth of those who are joining the volunteer ranks. We must incentivize a new group of people who can join those ranks to help keep all the communities in the 44th Senate District assured of their security. Have you or a loved one ever had an emergency and had to dial 911 for help? Chances are if you live in the communities of the 44th Senate District, a volunteer firefighter or ambulance worker was part of the team to respond to your call.

When danger calls, our volunteer firefighters and first responders are often the first to answer the call to service. We depend on our volunteer firefighters in our communities to respond to emergencies and help save lives.

These men and women are truly our local community heroes who put their own lives on the line each and every day to protect others. We see their service and sacrifice all the time in the 44th Senate District.

I recently honored the 100th anniversaries of the Galway Volunteer Fire Department and the John McClane Hose Company Rexford Fire Department with New York State Senate Resolutions that I authored and passed.

These volunteer fire departments, like so many others across the 44th Senate District and the entire state, are cornerstones of our communities. We need to ensure that Galway, Rexford and all the other volunteer departments continue to thrive and are able to provide vital emergency response services to residents for many years to come.

Unfortunately, it’s getting harder for our volunteer fire departments to attract new volunteers. Ensuring public safety is my top priority and should be job number one for any elected representative. Our volunteer fire departments and EMS must have strong support from the federal, state and local levels to be able to continue to do their job which is to save lives. That’s why I am sponsoring and supporting several pieces of legislation to help our volunteer fire departments recruit and retain members.

Here are just some of the bills I am advocating for to support our volunteer firefighters and EMS: · S.324 to provide a state income tax exemption for volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers.

· S.789 to extend tuition free course benefits to volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers.

· S.655 to offer free use of state parks and campsites for volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers.

· S.2042 to waive all fees for volunteer firefighter license plates.

· S.3441 to enhance recruitment by providing a personal income tax credit for volunteer firefighter training instructors.

· S.3199 to study and evaluate possible changes to streamline qualifications for becoming a volunteer firefighter to boost enrollment.

· S.5436 to increase disability benefits for volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers. ·

S.4020 to make EMS an essential service.

· S.6759 to provide a sales tax exemption on home life safety products such as fire extinguishers, fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.

· S.7079 for the creation of a first responder peer support program to help address the emotional toll on these individuals. This legislation offers a holistic approach to help recruit and retain volunteer firefighters and first responders and shows New York State’s appreciation for all they do, not only to fight fires and respond to emergencies, but also to forge strong ties to neighborhoods and communities.

The measures also will lead to more government efficiency for our tax dollars and help support the brave men and women who volunteer as firefighters and emergency first responders. These are neighbors helping neighbors who put their lives on the line every time they respond to a 911 call to protect our communities and the lives of our families and neighbors.

Our volunteer firefighters have our backs. Our state government needs to have their backs. ### Senator Jim Tedisco (R,C-44th Senate District) represents all of Saratoga County, Niskayuna and the City of Schenectady.