Establishes a fire prevention and emergency task force to develop a plan for training requirements and standards for fire prevention and emergency response services in rural areas and to examine the necessity of having uniform standards across the state.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A942
SPONSOR: Angelino TITLE OF BILL:
An act to create a fire protection and emergency response task force in
rural areas
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
Establishes a fire prevention and emergency task force in rural areas.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1. There is hereby established a statewide fire protection and
emergency response task force comprised of eight members who shall
develop a plan focusing on the standards and training requirements
necessary to effectuate fire protection and emergency response services
in rural areas throughout the state of New York. Appointments to the
task force shall be made as follows: 2 by the governor; 2 by the speaker
of the assembly, 2 by the temporary president of the senate, 1 by the
minority leader of the senate, and 1 by the minority leader of the
assembly. The appointments of the governor shall be a member, officer or
employee of the Fireman's Association of the State of New York and the
state fire administrator of the office of fire prevention and control or
his or her designee.
2. The task force shall examine current regulations and establish a set
of standards that are applicable only in rural areas as defined in this
subdivision. These standards shall be aimed at being less burdensome for
rural areas than the current regulations are and shall be designed to
encourage citizens to volunteer their services. The task force shall
also examine the necessity of having uniform standards across the state.
The task force shall issue a report within ten months after the effec-
tive date of this section and shall make recommendations to the legisla-
ture regarding any suggested changes in the law or to existing regu-
lations. For purposes of this section, "rural areas" means counties
within the state having a population of less than two hundred thousand,
and the municipalities, individuals, institutions, communities, programs
and such other entities or resources as are found therein. In counties
with a population of two hundred thousand or greater, "rural areas"
means towns with population densities of one hundred fifty persons or
less per square mile, and the villages, individuals, institutions,
communities, programs and such other entities or resources as are found
therein.
JUSTIFICATION:
The smaller rural areas are currently being overwhelmed with training
requirements for fire protection and emergency response making it diffi-
cult to maintain or recruit volunteers. A lack of volunteers in rural
areas creates an issue with coverage in case of an emergency. The
requirements needed should be evaluated by a fire protection and emer-
gency response task force to assess a possible mid-range level of
service to accommodate the smaller rural areas of our State. The access
to training and frequency of certification should also be evaluated so
that it meets our State's standards.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
None.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
To be determined.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.
