STATE LEGISLATURE ENCOURAGED TO PASS JOB PROTECTION FOR VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS AND EMS RESPONDERS

FASNY President David Jacobowitz Urges Law Makers to Protect First Responders

(ALBANY, NY) – A bill designed to protect the jobs of volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel statewide has passed in the State Senate and is now in the hands of the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee.  The Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY) strongly urges the Assembly and Governor Andrew Cuomo to pass this vital legislation and sign it into law.

This legislation is designed to ensure volunteer firefighters and EMS responders won’t lose their paying jobs simply because they were late or missed work while performing their volunteer duties during a state or federal declared emergency. It is being sponsored by NY Senator Mark Grisanti (R – Buffalo) and NYS Assembly Member Fred Thiele (I – Suffolk) and has been a key item on FASNY’s legislative agenda for several years.

In this tight economy, when these volunteers are working two jobs and balancing their volunteer work with their paid work commitments, incidents of this nature result in a decrease in the number of volunteers responding to emergencies because of a fear of job loss.

The threat of losing a job has a chilling effect on response at a time when more than 80% of New York State’s geography is covered by volunteer response. With this spring’s brush fires on Long Island and last fall’s Hurricane aftermath across much of the state, it’s more important than ever to ensure our first responders are able to act swiftly without fear of recourse.

“Eight states including Ohio, Illinois and California have passed statutes to protect their volunteers,” said FASNY President David Jacobowitz. “They understand, as we do, that volunteers should not have to choose between their job and protecting their community during times of recognized disaster relief. It’s crucial that the state pass this legislation immediately before the end of the current session.”

“Volunteer firefighters and EMS providers put their lives on the line every day to serve our state, Jacobowitz continued. “We respect that our volunteers have ‘day jobs’ and responsibilities to their employers.  That’s why the bill balances the interests of the volunteer, the community and the employer – so all sides are protected.”