Reviews and Opinions
From...The Saratogian
12-07-2021
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.
Learn more about what we do
Moreau (NY), South Glens Falls Weighing Fire Service Consolidation
Alex Portal – The Post-Star, Glens Falls, N.Y.
(TNS)
MOREAU – Amid its latest round of contract negotiations with the South Glens Falls Fire Company, officials with the town of Moreau and the village of South Glens Falls have begun preliminary talks of forming a joint fire district.
“This post is intended to inform and educate the general public about actions being considered by the Village of South Glens Falls and the Town of Moreau to create a Joint Fire District,” read a post to social media put out by South Glens Falls Mayor Nicholas Bodkin on Feb. 20. “There are many advantages to pursuing a Joint Fire District, however with no public discussion thus far and action expected in the coming weeks, I feel it’s important for the community to be aware of what is being discussed and give everyone time to research how this could impact their finances.
”
The post processed a draft resolution sent to the Moreau town board from the fire company’s attorney, asking that the fire department be dissolved, and that the town extends its “Fire Protection District” into the village. All this apparently came as a surprise to the Moreau town board, who addressed its message during its Feb. 25 meeting.
“I was kind of taken aback by it,” Board Member John Donohue said during the meeting.
“There’s obviously more discussion to be had.”
“It’s also news to me,” Board Member Pat Killian added.
“There was discussion of the town taking over the fire company,” Supervisor Jesse Fish recalled. “There’s equipment, there’s different things that had to be discussed and whatnot… at the end of the meeting everybody just kind of went their own way and I haven’t heard another word about it.”
Harry Gutheil, who sits on the village board of trustees, but was attending the town board meeting on a different matter as a citizen, offered some insight into what had been discussed.
“There was one paragraph in our contract, that the village approved, that we would work toward the goal of a fire protection district. But that was the extent of it,” he said.
Despite the disjointed line of communication between the village, town, and fire company, it was determined that the three parties would schedule a joint meeting to begin the process of establishing a joint fire district.
“What’s being proposed is that the village give up its responsibility and authority with respect to providing fire service to the village,” Town attorney Glen Bruening summarized. “And the village would cede that responsibility to the town but in order for that to occur we would need special legislation because… the town is not allowed to extend a fire protection district into the village.”
However, the question still remains as to what form the “district” will take. According to the Association of Fire Districts of the State of New York there are three approaches municipalities can take in becoming or consolidating a fire district, each with its own administrative configuration.
* A “Fire District” is a political subdivision of the state located within one or more towns, with an elected governing body. Fire district is almost a completely autonomous political entity; it has its own elected governing body, its own administrative officers, and it must observe its own expenditure limitations. However, it is dependent upon the parent town or towns for its initial creation, extension, and dissolution.
* A “Fire Protection District” is a geographical area of a town which receives contract fire protection from another fire service entity. A town board can create a fire protection district, consolidate adjoining fire protection districts, alter the boundaries of a fire protection district, or dissolve a fire protection district on its own motion or by petition.
* A “Joint Fire District” is created by the town board and the board of trustees of a village. The Town Board and the Village Board of Trustees may establish a joint fire district when it appears to be in the public’s best interest, provided that all of the territory in the Joint Fire District is contiguous
The three parties would need to decide in what fashion they would like to proceed and request permission from the state legislature to move forward with the consolidation before the end of the month.
Learn more about what we do
NY bill aims to give Police, Fire Departments funding for recruitment and retention ...
Two NYS lawmakers are introducing legislation aimed to help fire and police departments with access to grant funding.
Crafted by Republicans state Sen Joesph Griffo and Democratic State assemblyman Billy Jones, the Public Safety Investment Act would provide police and fire departments with access to $300 million in grant funding to help with recruitment and retention efforts as well as purchasing equipment.
According to the lawmakers, the money would be available over a three-year period and eligible departments could apply for a share of $100 million each year.
Throughout New York, many police and fire departments are struggling financially and face significant challenges when it comes to recruiting and retaining members and keeping equipment up to date and in working order. Griffo said in a statement "Local governments are often forced to raise taxes to address these issues". "This bill would strengthen police and fire departments, enhance public safety and help alleviate the burden on taxpayers".
I have visited almost every fire department in my district and every single one of them is struggling to make ends meet as well as recruit and retain members", Jones said. "I am proud to introduce this bill to help our local fire and police departments acquire the resources they need to keep us all safe and to answer the call when we are in need."