Update on Legislation
Providing Health Insurance for First Responders
In 2008, I was pleased to support a state law which allows volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers to apply for municipal health insurance benefits.
This law recognized that emergency response providers deserve access to health insurance coverage.
This law will also help recruitment and retention efforts. By allowing volunteer fire and ambulance companies to access the health insurance plans offered to municipal employees, volunteers will be encouraged to stay on and new members will be added to the ranks. Health insurance is a tangible benefit that fire and ambulance companies can utilize to retain existing personnel and to attract new recruits.
The current law has been interpreted to need clarification regarding insurance provided by municipalities that purchase their coverage through the New York State Health Insurance Plan (NYSHIP).
I am pleased to say that earlier this year, legislation which I cosponsor to clarify this law passed the New York State Assembly. These changes will make it possible for volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers to obtain coverage as originally intended.
Unfortunately, the New York State Senate has not yet acted upon this bill. Hopefully this will occur soon.
Will provide funding to recruit and retain emergency service volunteers
Assemblyman Bob Sweeney has announced that legislation he authored to establish the Volunteer Firefighting and Volunteer Emergency Services Recruitment and Retention Fund has been signed into law. The law authorizes taxpayers to make gifts to the fund through a state income tax check off. It is estimated the fund could raise $1 million per year.
The fund will be used to offer grants to volunteer firefighters and emergency service organizations for the purpose of encouraging the recruitment and retention of volunteers.
“Volunteer firefighters and volunteer emergency services workers are crucial to the safety and well-being of the citizens of this state.They routinely demonstrate courage in the face of danger. Hopefully this fund, which will consist of voluntary contributions, will make it easier for them to provide their critical lifesaving services to our communities”, said Sweeney.
Thomas Cuff, Jr., President of the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York said: “We at FASNY are delighted that Assemblyman Bob Sweeney has demonstrated, once again, a keen insight for the needs of New York’s volunteer firefighters and EMS responders. By sponsoring the Volunteer Firefighter and EMS Recruitment and Retention Fund, signed as Chapter 490 by Governor Paterson, Assemblyman Sweeney has created for volunteers and the communities they serve a way to keep the recruitment and retention process enthusiastic and robust without creating costs for the state.”
Mike Mastrianni, President of New York State Volunteer Ambulance and Rescue Association, said, “On behalf of New York State’s volunteer emergency medical services providers, I want to thank Governor Paterson for signing this bill and Senator Foley and Assemblyman Sweeney for their leadership and support on this critical issue: recruitment and retention of volunteers. This is probably the most daunting task all of us face. By creating the Volunteer Firefighter and EMS Recruitment Fund, and providing a funding mechanism in statute, much needed assistance can be provided to local volunteer emergency services departments as they struggle to provide the highest quality service to their communities throughout New York.”
The memorial honors EMS personnel who fall in the line of duty. This year two names were added, including a Long Islander.
Assemblyman Sweeney sponsored the original legislation to create The Memorial, and provided funding for its construction.
He is pictured at The Memorial with Mike Mastrianni, President of the New York State Volunteer Ambulance and Rescue Association.
Assemblyman Bob Sweeney has secured $50,000 in funding to purchase a pre-fab storage building at Town Hall to house the Town’s haz-mat vehicles.
The vehicles serve to protect Town residents in the event of hazardous material emergencies. The vehicles and their equipment need a structure to house and protect them, which the Sweeney grant will provide.
The funding was requested of Sweeney by Town Supervisor Steve Bellone.
Legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Bob Sweeney rectifies a controversial state law that forbade trained firefighters without Commercial Drivers Licenses (CDLs) from driving trucks in any capacity apart from responding to an emergency.
The Sweeney law clarifies that the exemption from CDL requirements for fire vehicles applies not only during their use in emergency situations but also in the performance of official duties, or activities related to the execution of emergency governmental functions. Examples of official duties include, but are not limited to, training, parades, funerals, hydrant maintenance and commercial building inspections.
The Sweeney legislation keeps New York in conformity with federal regulations, thus preserving about $31 million in federal highway aid.
The bill was supported by FASNY, the NYS Association of Fire Chiefs and the Association of Fire Districts.
It was signed into law in May.
