Volunteer Fire and EMS Laws Up For Discussion On Saturday

Montrose — A meeting to discuss laws affecting volunteer firefighters and emergency responders will be held for departments in five Hudson Valley counties on Saturday morning.

The Emergency Services Education & Legislative Meeting is hosted by the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York, or FASNY, as part of its Legislative Outreach Program, the organization announced.

Concerns to be discussed: a volunteer’s job protection – the safety of a volunteer’s job while they respond during a declared state of emergency – seat belt requirements and ambulance billing rights for volunteers.

More than 200 people, including FASNY leaders, local fire chiefs, volunteer firefighters and first responders from Dutchess, Ulster, Putnam, Rockland and Westchester counties are expected to attend.

State assembly and senate members representing Dutchess and the other four counties have also been invited.

FASNY represents more than 90,000 volunteer firefighters and emergency medical personnel in the state, according to organization information.

The outreach program aims to provide information about pending legislation and fire service needs.

More than 70 meetings have been conducted as part of the outreach program since it started in 2008.

Registration and breakfast starts at 8 a.m. on Saturday at the Cortlandt Engine Company’s headquarters in the Montrose Fire District, located at 2143 Albany Post Road in Westchester County’s Montrose.

The conference starts at 9 a.m.

Visit www.fasny.com for more information.