Firemen’s Association of the State of New York calls for signing of smoke alarm bill

Canandaigua, N.Y.

The Firemen’s Association of the State of New York, representing more than 90,000 volunteer firefighters across the state, recently called on Gov. Andrew Cuomo to sign the 10-year smoke alarm bill into law.

The bill, which requires all smoke alarms sold in New York State to have sealed, tamper-proof, 10-year batteries, sits on Cuomo’s desk after passing both houses of the Legislature.

In a letter to the Cuomo, FASNY President Robert McConville highlighted the critical importance of working smoke alarms to both civilians and firefighters alike.

“Too often we are called to the scene of a fire where the occupancy was devoid of a working smoke alarm, and as a result, serious injuries or fatalities are involved,” he wrote. “In addition, hundreds of firefighters are injured each year facilitating search-and-rescue operations at homes because of trapped occupants. Where working smoke alarms are present, these occupants have a better chance of self-evacuating, eliminating the need for firefighters to conduct dangerous searches.”

The letter also contends that by signing this bill, Cuomo can help reverse a troubling statistic regarding New York fire deaths.

“New York state strives to be a leader among our peers across the country, and rightfully so. However, in the case of fire deaths, we are a leader for the wrong reason. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, New York consistently sits among the top three states in the nation for fire deaths, including a No. 3 ranking as of Dec. 16.

“Signing this bill into law will not only save innumerable lives, but will demonstrate to the nation that New York is a leader in public safety and committed to safeguarding all those within the State,” wrote McConville.