Firefighters Battle State Budget Proposal

[JetPhoto 626]

Firefighters Battle State Budget Proposal

Volunteer firefighters put their lives on the line in towns and villages across Western New York to fight fires, and respond to accidents and emergencies. They are now coming together to fight a proposed budget bill in New York State.

"The response time would go down and the tax payer bill would go up." said Townline Firefighter Fred Adams. The proposal would make it easier for voters to pass a referendum to get rid of volunteer fire departments, consolidate districts, and move to county paid fire protection. "It just isn't right. We try our best. We do it basically free and it just isn't right." said Adams.

"Response times will go up. Staffing is going to be minimal, just what they need on a truck to cover. Just what they feel is necessary." said Randall Rider President of the Association of Fire Districts. He says the quality of your protection would go down and response times and cost would go up. "The study was done in 2003. It was between 4 and 7 billion then. Now, it would be 8 and a half billion dollars to go to a paid service across New York State." said Rider.

"We'll take it out. " said State Senator Dale Volker. He is the senior member of the Western New York delegation. He is fighting the bill now saying the move is designed as a way to regionalize services, but it won't lower your taxes. "The problem with some of this consolidation stuff is that you don't save any money at all. What they mean is somebody else takes care of it and probably it'll cost more by the somebody else that takes care of it." said Volker.

The proposal is now in the state budget, and it could be voted on as early as April.

http://www.wkbw.com/news/local/16097972.html

[Goose 188]

Gotta love it. I can't believe people are actually resisting a step in the right direction, it's about time New York get with the program and the 21st Century. I, for one, would like to see this signed into law.

[KCRD 6]

Gotta second Goose's statement

[Guest alsfirefighter]

"The response time would go down and the tax payer bill would go up." said Townline Firefighter Fred Adams. The proposal would make it easier for voters to pass a referendum to get rid of volunteer fire departments, consolidate districts, and move to county paid fire protection. "It just isn't right. We try our best. We do it basically free and it just isn't right." said Adams.

Since when is "we try our best" sufficient when it comes to emergency response? I wonder if the person making that statement would like to hear that from the guy who built his house, the owner of the dealership he bought his car, the plumber who just fixed his pipes and so on.

Response times would go down..ummm isn't that the point? Smoke and mirrors as usual. Maybe taxes wouldn't go up all that much and overall service would improve. What does "we basically do it for free" mean anyway? Not like its abnormal but sensationalizing by the press or whomever gave that information. They wouldn't get rid of volunteer departments, they'd be nuts too, there are large county level departments that operate as combination departments.

Last time I checked we are in this for service and the protection of the citizens we serve. It isn't about pride of what you do or personal. Get over it.

Edited March 7, 2008 by alsfirefighter

[Bnechis 3,961]

"The response time would go down and the tax payer bill would go up." said Townline Firefighter Fred Adams. The proposal would make it easier for voters to pass a referendum to get rid of volunteer fire departments, consolidate districts, and move to county paid fire protection."

1) Response time would go down is a good thing.

2) Tax payer bill would go up......That's not what has happened elsewhere.

3) Consolidated districts and a move to county paid fire protection - Yes this legislation moves to consolidate fire districts by merging them under the local town governmnet. So in westchester the following might occur;

In Harrison; "Downtown, Purchase and West Harrison" wold become 1 department. Would it save the taxpayers $$$, dont know, but now they need 9 engines under ISO, if merged they would need 4 to keep the same rating. But if they added a station on North St (by PD & VAC HQ) they would improve town wide response and ISO rating (and with all the Corporations on Westchester Ave it could save $10 - $20 million/yr in premiums).

In Mt Pleasant; It would merge Archville, Hawthorne, Pichantico hills, Pleasantville, Sleepy Hollow, Thornwood, & Valhalla under one dept. currently they have about 19 engines and under ISO would need about 12. At $500,000 equipped the replacement value is $3.5 million.

In Greenburgh it would merge Fairview, Greenville and Hartsdale.

Bedford, Cortland, Lewsboro, Yorktown would all see similar results.

No where in the legislation is "county government" involved and no where is "paid fire protection" an issue. In fact in many cases VFD's that are having trouble getting manning will do better since they will have to man fewer units per station and it will reduce the need to go "paid".

"It just isn't right. We try our best. We do it basically free and it just isn't right." said Adams."

ALS was right on this one. We tried our best to save your child, but...........

And tell the taxpayers on Long Island that its Basically For free. They have VFD's with budget career depts only hope for.

"Response times will go up. Staffing is going to be minimal, just what they need on a truck to cover. Just what they feel is necessary." said Randall Rider President of the Association of Fire Districts. He says the quality of your protection would go down and response times and cost would go up. "The study was done in 2003. It was between 4 and 7 billion then. Now, it would be 8 and a half billion dollars to go to a paid service across New York State." said Rider.

1) Staffing is going to be minimal? How many depts (paid or vol) currently get out the in one minute with 3ff/1of? How many meet any standards. If each dept only had to get 1 or 2 rigs out and the other "stations" did the same it would be easier to get the rigs out quicker with better staffing.

2) The study that was done in 2003 was a total sham. To scare everyone as to cost, it claimed that every vol would have to be replaced with a paid ff (one for one). They included in the numbers non active members, associate members, jr members, non interior members...etc. And they did not include the cost of LOSAP as a current cost. They also did not mention the comptrollers reports that showed how LOSAP were drastically underfunded to get past voters. The also claimed that every vol. station would have to be fully staffed (2 eng, ladder, rescue, chief) which in any large City, region or county system you never find that many staffed rigs, because you have additional stations to provide the 2nd due.

"We'll take it out. " said State Senator Dale Volker.......... He is fighting the bill now saying the move is designed as a way to regionalize services, but it won't lower your taxes. "The problem with some of this consolidation stuff is that you don't save any money at all. What they mean is somebody else takes care of it and probably it'll cost more by the somebody else that takes care of it." said Volker.

Smoke and Mirrors - "The problem with some of this" and "probably it'll cost more"

The bigger issue with this legislation is do not think that your department can get away with high cost and minimal protection forever. The taxpayers have had enough, if its not this legislation it will be something like Mass Propisiton 2 1/2 or Calif Prop 13 that will prevent your dept from getting the funding its use to.

[201/65 94]

S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K

________________________________________________________________________

8982

2007-2008 Regular Sessions

I N A S S E M B L Y

June 7, 2007

___________

Introduced by M. of A. HOYT, GUNTHER, REILLY, SAYWARD, FINCH -- Multi-

Sponsored by -- M. of A. CALHOUN, COLE, JOHN, MAGEE, SWEENEY -- read

once and referred to the Committee on Local Governments

AN ACT to amend the town law, in relation to authorizing a town to

establish and operate a town fire department

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-

BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

1 Section 1. The town law is amended by adding a new article 10-A to

2 read as follows:

3 ARTICLE 10-A

4 FIRE DEPARTMENT

5 SECTION 160. ESTABLISHMENT OF TOWN FIRE DEPARTMENT.

6 161. POWERS OF TOWN BOARD.

7 162. RULES AND REGULATIONS.

8 163. ORGANIZATION OF COMPANIES.

9 164. VOLUNTEER MEMBERS OF TOWN FIRE COMPANIES.

10 165. INCORPORATION OF FIRE DEPARTMENT.

11 166. ELECTION OF COMPANY OFFICERS AND DELEGATES.

12 167. CHIEF AND ASSISTANT CHIEFS.

13 S 160. ESTABLISHMENT OF TOWN FIRE DEPARTMENT. NOTWITHSTANDING THE

14 PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE ELEVEN OF THIS CHAPTER OR ANY OTHER PROVISION OF

15 LAW TO THE CONTRARY, THE TOWN BOARD OF ANY TOWN MAY ESTABLISH AND OPER-

16 ATE A TOWN FIRE DEPARTMENT. IN EVERY TOWN IN WHICH THE TOWN BOARD ELECTS

17 TO ESTABLISH A TOWN FIRE DEPARTMENT, EVERY FIRE DISTRICT, ESTABLISHED

18 PURSUANT TO ARTICLE ELEVEN OF THIS CHAPTER, WITHIN SUCH TOWN SHALL BE

19 MERGED IN AND BE CONSOLIDATED WITH THE TOWN FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND ALL

20 BUILDINGS, ENGINES, FIRE APPARATUS AND OTHER PROPERTY BELONGING TO SUCH

21 FIRE DISTRICTS SHALL BE VESTED IN SUCH TOWNS AND MAINTAINED AND ADMINIS-

22 TERED BY IT AS A PART OF THE TOWN FIRE DEPARTMENT. ALL POWERS AND DUTIES

EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets

{ } is old law to be omitted.

LBD11423-01-7

A. 8982 2

1 OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF SUCH FIRE DISTRICTS SHALL BE DEVOLVED UPON AND

2 TRANSFERRED TO THE TOWN BOARD OF SUCH TOWN. FOR THE PURPOSE OF PAYING

3 THE PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST OF ANY BONDS OF ANY SUCH FIRE DISTRICT WHICH

4 MAY BE OUTSTANDING AND UNPAID AT THE DATE OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE

5 TOWN FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE TOWN BOARD OF SUCH TOWN SHALL LEVY, ASSESS AND

6 COLLECT UPON ALL TAXABLE PROPERTY IN SUCH TOWN, A TAX SUFFICIENT TO PAY

7 THE INTEREST THEREOF AS THE SAME ACCRUES AND SUFFICIENT ALSO TO PROVIDE

8 FOR THE PAYMENT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF SUCH BONDS AT MATURITY.

9 S 161. POWERS OF TOWN BOARD. THE TOWN BOARD OF A TOWN:

10 1. HAS THE CARE, CUSTODY AND CONTROL OF ALL TOWN PROPERTY OF THE FIRE

11 DEPARTMENT.

12 2. MAY PURCHASE SUCH EQUIPMENT AS IS SUITABLE AND NECESSARY TO PREVENT

13 AND EXTINGUISH FIRES WITHIN THE TOWN, OR FOR THE PURPOSES OF ANY EMER-

14 GENCY AND FIRST AID SQUAD ORGANIZED WITHIN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND

15 UNIFORMS FOR ALL ACTIVE MEMBERS OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND KEEP THE SAME

16 IN GOOD CONDITION AND REPAIR.

17 3. MAY ERECT AND MAINTAIN SUITABLE AND NECESSARY BUILDINGS FOR THE

18 FIRE DEPARTMENT.

19 4. MAY CONSTRUCT AND MAINTAIN RESERVOIRS AND CISTERNS AND SUPPLY THEM

20 WITH WATER FOR USE AT FIRES.

21 5. MAY ADOPT RULES FOR THE ADMISSION, SUSPENSION, REMOVAL AND DISCI-

22 PLINE OF THE MEMBERS, OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, MAY

23 PRESCRIBE THEIR POWERS AND DUTIES, AND FIX THEIR COMPENSATION NOT INCON-

24 SISTENT WITH THIS ARTICLE.

25 6. MAY ADOPT RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING FIRE COMPANIES AND FIRE

26 DEPARTMENTS, PRESCRIBING THE DUTIES OF THE MEMBERS THEREOF, AND MAY

27 ENFORCE DISCIPLINE AND PROVIDE FOR PUBLIC DRILLS, PARADES, FUNERALS,

28 INSPECTIONS AND REVIEWS OF THE TOWN FIRE DEPARTMENT, OR ANY COMPANY OR

29 UNIT THEREOF, WITHIN THE TOWN OR AT OTHER PLACES WITHIN THE STATE, ANY

30 ADJOINING STATE OR IN CANADA. SUCH RULES AND REGULATIONS SHALL NOT

31 AUTHORIZE ANY MEMBER OF THE TOWN BOARD TO INTERFERE WITH THE DUTIES OF

32 THE FIRE CHIEF OR THE ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF AT SUCH TIMES AS THE FIRE

33 DEPARTMENT OR ANY COMPANY OR SQUAD THEREOF IS ON DUTY.

34 7. MAY APPOINT PERSONS OTHER THAN MEMBERS OR OFFICERS OF THE DEPART-

35 MENT TO TAKE CHARGE OF TOWN PROPERTY, AND MAY FIX THEIR COMPENSATION.

36 8. MAY EMPLOY DUTY OR "CALL MEN", TO SERVE ON A PART-TIME BASIS WHEN

37 NECESSARY, AND FIX THEIR DUTIES AND COMPENSATION. SUCH PART-TIME PAID

38 FIREMEN IN THE EVENT OF INJURY SHALL BE ENTITLED TO THE APPLICABLE BENE-

39 FITS PROVIDED FOR SUCH PART-TIME PAID FIREMEN UNDER SECTION TWO HUNDRED

40 SEVEN-A OF THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL LAW AND IN THE EVENT OF INJURY OR DEATH

41 SHALL BE ENTITLED TO THE APPLICABLE BENEFITS, IF ANY, PROVIDED FOR SUCH

42 PART-TIME PAID FIREMEN UNDER THE RETIREMENT AND SOCIAL SECURITY LAW AND

43 THE WORKMEN`S COMPENSATION LAW. PERSONS WHO ARE VOLUNTEER MEMBERS OF THE

44 TOWN FIRE DEPARTMENT MAY BE EMPLOYED AS SUCH PART-TIME PAID FIREMEN, BUT

45 IN THE EVENT OF INJURY, DEATH, DISEASE OR INFECTION, RESULTING FROM

46 SERVICES PERFORMED IN LINE OF DUTY AS SUCH PART-TIME PAID FIREMEN THEY

47 SHALL NOT BE ENTITLED TO ANY OF THE BENEFITS PROVIDED FOR VOLUNTEER

48 FIREMEN UNDER THE VOLUNTEER FIREMEN`S BENEFIT LAW, OR UNDER ANY POLICY

49 OF BLANKET ACCIDENT INSURANCE PURCHASED BY THE TOWN OR PURCHASED BY THE

50 FIRE DEPARTMENT TO COVER ONLY VOLUNTEER MEMBERS OF SUCH DEPARTMENT.

51 9. MAY INQUIRE INTO THE CAUSE AND ORIGIN OF FIRES OCCURRING IN THE

52 TOWN AND MAY TAKE TESTIMONY IN RELATION THERETO.

53 10. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISIONS OF LAW TO THE CONTRARY, A

54 TOWN MAY INCLUDE AS PART OF ITS BUDGET AN APPROPRIATION TO FUND AN ANNU-

55 AL FIREMEN`S INSPECTION-DINNER FOR EACH FIRE COMPANY WITHIN THE TOWN.

A. 8982 3

1 S 162. RULES AND REGULATIONS. THE TOWN BOARD MAY ADOPT RULES AND REGU-

2 LATIONS FOR THE FOLLOWING PURPOSES:

3 1. TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE THE TOWN PROPERTY AND APPARATUS OF THE FIRE

4 DEPARTMENT.

5 2. TO PREVENT DANGER FROM FIRES AND TO PROTECT PROPERTY EXPOSED TO

6 DESTRUCTION OR INJURY BY FIRE.

7 3. TO PROVIDE FOR PULLING DOWN, BLOWING UP AND THE REMOVAL OF BUILD-

8 INGS AND PROPERTY TO ARREST THE PROGRESS OF FIRES OR EXTINGUISH THE

9 SAME.

10 4. TO PROVIDE FOR THE INSTALLATION OF YARD HYDRANT SYSTEMS CONNECTED

11 WITH THE PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM IN ACCESSIBLE LOCATIONS ON PRIVATE

12 PROPERTY FOR THE PROTECTION OF MULTIPLE RESIDENCES ENUMERATED IN THE

13 MULTIPLE RESIDENCE LAW WHERE THE POSSIBILITY OF A SERIOUS FIRE HAZARD IS

14 DETERMINED BY THE BOARD TO EXIST.

15 S 163. ORGANIZATION OF COMPANIES. THE TOWN BOARD MAY ORGANIZE AND

16 MAINTAIN FIRE, HOSE, PROTECTIVE AND HOOK AND LADDER COMPANIES, WHENEVER

17 IN ITS JUDGMENT THE PUBLIC INTERESTS REQUIRE. THE TOWN BOARD MAY, BY

18 RESOLUTION, CONSENT TO THE INCORPORATION OF ANY OF THE COMPANIES SO

19 ORGANIZED BY THEM, OR MAY, BY LIKE APPROVAL, CONSENT TO THE INCORPO-

20 RATION OR THE ORGANIZATION WITHOUT INCORPORATION OF AS MANY COMPANIES

21 VOLUNTARILY ORGANIZED IN SUCH TOWN AS MAY BE DEEMED NECESSARY.

22 S 164. VOLUNTEER MEMBERS OF TOWN FIRE COMPANIES. 1. THE VOLUNTEER

23 MEMBERS OF A FIRE COMPANY SHALL BE ELECTED AND APPOINTED AS PROVIDED IN

24 THIS SECTION.

25 2. THE TOWN BOARD SHALL APPOINT RESIDENTS OF THE TOWN AS THE VOLUNTEER

26 MEMBERS OF ANY NEWLY ORGANIZED FIRE COMPANY. THEREAFTER, THE FIRE

27 COMPANY MAY ELECT OTHER ELIGIBLE PERSONS, INCLUDING TOWN OFFICERS, AS

28 VOLUNTEER MEMBERS. THE ELECTION SHALL BE PURSUANT TO THE BY-LAWS, IF

29 ANY, OF THE FIRE COMPANY; OTHERWISE, BY A THREE-FOURTHS VOTE OF THE

30 MEMBERS OF THE FIRE COMPANY PRESENT AND VOTING AT A REGULAR OR SPECIAL

31 MEETING THEREOF. THE MEMBERSHIP OF ANY PERSON SO ELECTED SHALL BECOME

32 EFFECTIVE WHEN APPROVED BY RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN BOARD. MEMBERSHIP

33 SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE BEEN APPROVED PURSUANT TO THIS SUBDIVISION IN

34 THE EVENT THAT NO ACTION IS TAKEN BY THE TOWN BOARD, EITHER APPROVING OR

35 DISAPPROVING, WITHIN FORTY DAYS AFTER SERVICE OF WRITTEN NOTICE OF

36 ELECTION TO MEMBERSHIP SHALL HAVE BEEN MADE BY THE SECRETARY OF THE FIRE

37 COMPANY UPON THE TOWN CLERK, EITHER PERSONALLY OR BY MAIL.

38 3. ANY PERSON ELECTED TO MEMBERSHIP AS A VOLUNTEER MEMBER AS A FIRE

39 COMPANY SHALL BE A RESIDENT OF THE TOWN, EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN

40 SUBDIVISION SIX OF THIS SECTION.

41 4. THE MEMBERSHIP OF A VOLUNTEER MEMBER OF A FIRE COMPANY SHALL TERMI-

42 NATE WHEN HE OR SHE CEASES TO BE A RESIDENT OF THE TOWN, EXCEPT AS

43 OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION FIVE OF THIS SECTION.

44 5. ANY FIRE COMPANY MAY AUTHORIZE THE CONTINUED MEMBERSHIP OF ANY

45 VOLUNTEER MEMBER WHERE SUCH MEMBER NOTIFIES THE SECRETARY OF HIS OR HER

46 FIRE COMPANY (A) THAT HE OR SHE PLANS TO CHANGE HIS OR HER RESIDENCE TO

47 TERRITORY WHICH IS NOT IN THE TOWN, OR ANY FIRE COMPANY THEREOF, PURSU-

48 ANT TO A CONTRACT FOR FIRE PROTECTION, AND ( THAT BY REASON OF HIS OR

49 HER RESIDENCE IN THE VICINITY OR HIS OR HER USUAL OCCUPATION HE OR SHE

50 WILL BE AVAILABLE TO RENDER ACTIVE SERVICE AS A VOLUNTEER FIREMAN IN THE

51 TOWN. SUCH AUTHORIZATION SHALL BE PURSUANT TO THE BY-LAWS, IF ANY, OF

52 THE FIRE COMPANY OF WHICH HE OR SHE IS A MEMBER, OTHERWISE BY A

53 THREE-FOURTHS VOTE OF THE MEMBERS OF SUCH FIRE COMPANY PRESENT AND

54 VOTING AT A REGULAR OR SPECIAL MEETING THEREOF. SUCH AUTHORIZATION SHALL

55 NOT BECOME EFFECTIVE UNLESS APPROVED BY RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN BOARD.

56 SUCH AUTHORIZATION SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE BEEN APPROVED PURSUANT TO

A. 8982 4

1 THIS SUBDIVISION IN THE EVENT THAT NO ACTION IS TAKEN BY THE TOWN BOARD,

2 EITHER APPROVING OR DISAPPROVING, WITHIN FORTY DAYS AFTER SERVICE OF

3 WRITTEN NOTICE OF SUCH AUTHORIZATION SHALL HAVE BEEN MADE BY THE SECRE-

4 TARY OF THE FIRE COMPANY UPON THE TOWN CLERK, EITHER PERSONALLY OR BY

5 MAIL. ANY MEMBERSHIP CONTINUED PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SUBDI-

6 VISION SHALL TERMINATE WHEN THE MEMBER CANNOT MEET EITHER THE REQUIRE-

7 MENTS OF THIS SUBDIVISION OR THE RESIDENCE REQUIREMENTS OF SUBDIVISION

8 THREE OF THIS SECTION. IN THE CASE OF A TOWN WHICH ADJOINS ANOTHER

9 STATE, THE TERM "VICINITY", AS USED IN THIS SUBDIVISION, INCLUDES TERRI-

10 TORY IN THIS STATE AND TERRITORY IN THE ADJOINING STATE.

11 6. A PERSON WHO CANNOT MEET THE RESIDENCE REQUIREMENTS OF SUBDIVISION

12 THREE OF THIS SECTION MAY BE ELECTED TO MEMBERSHIP AS A VOLUNTEER MEMBER

13 OF ANY FIRE COMPANY OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IF BY REASON OF HIS OR HER

14 RESIDENCE IN THE VICINITY OR HIS OR HER USUAL OCCUPATION HE OR SHE WILL

15 BE AVAILABLE TO RENDER ACTIVE SERVICE AS A VOLUNTEER FIREMAN IN THE

16 TOWN. SUCH ELECTION SHALL BE PURSUANT TO THE BY-LAWS, IF ANY, OF THE

17 FIRE COMPANY; OTHERWISE BY A THREE-FOURTHS VOTE OF THE MEMBERS OF THE

18 FIRE COMPANY PRESENT AND VOTING AT A REGULAR OR SPECIAL MEETING THEREOF.

19 THE MEMBERSHIP OF ANY PERSON SO ELECTED SHALL NOT BECOME EFFECTIVE

20 UNLESS APPROVED BY RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN BOARD. MEMBERSHIP SHALL BE

21 DEEMED TO HAVE BEEN APPROVED PURSUANT TO THIS SUBDIVISION IN THE EVENT

22 THAT NO ACTION IS TAKEN BY THE TOWN BOARD, EITHER APPROVING OR DISAP-

23 PROVING, WITHIN SEVENTY DAYS AFTER SERVICE OF WRITTEN NOTICE OF ELECTION

24 TO MEMBERSHIP SHALL HAVE BEEN MADE BY THE SECRETARY OF THE FIRE COMPANY

25 UPON THE TOWN CLERK, EITHER PERSONALLY OR BY MAIL. THE MEMBERSHIP OF ANY

26 VOLUNTEER MEMBER ELECTED PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SUBDIVISION

27 SHALL TERMINATE WHEN THE MEMBER CANNOT MEET EITHER THE REQUIREMENTS OF

28 THIS SUBDIVISION OR THE RESIDENCE REQUIREMENTS OF SUBDIVISION THREE OF

29 THIS SECTION. IN THE CASE OF A TOWN WHICH ADJOINS ANOTHER STATE, THE

30 TERM "VICINITY", AS USED IN THIS SUBDIVISION, INCLUDES TERRITORY IN THIS

31 STATE AND TERRITORY IN THE ADJOINING STATE.

32 7. THE MEMBERSHIP OF ANY VOLUNTEER FIREMAN SHALL NOT BE CONTINUED

33 PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION FIVE OF THIS SECTION, AND PERSONS SHALL NOT BE

34 ELECTED TO MEMBERSHIP PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION SIX OF THIS SECTION, IF,

35 BY SO DOING, THE PERCENTAGE OF SUCH NON-RESIDENT MEMBERS IN THE FIRE

36 COMPANY WOULD EXCEED FORTY-FIVE PER CENTUM OF THE ACTUAL MEMBERSHIP OF

37 THE FIRE COMPANY.

38 8. THE TOWN BOARD, BY RESOLUTION MAY RESTRICT THE MEMBERSHIP OF VOLUN-

39 TEER MEMBERS IN ANY OR ALL OF THE FIRE COMPANIES OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT

40 TO RESIDENTS OF THE TOWN.

41 9. NON-RESIDENTS WHOSE VOLUNTEER MEMBERSHIPS HAVE BEEN CONTINUED OR

42 AUTHORIZED PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION FIVE OR SIX OF THIS SECTION, SHALL

43 HAVE ALL THE POWERS, DUTIES, IMMUNITIES, AND PRIVILEGES OF RESIDENT

44 VOLUNTEER MEMBERS, EXCEPT (1) NON-RESIDENTS OF THE STATE MAY NOT BE

45 APPOINTED OR ELECTED TO ANY OFFICE IN THE FIRE COMPANY OR FIRE DEPART-

46 MENT, AND (2) A NON-RESIDENT OF THIS STATE WHOSE MEMBERSHIP HAS BEEN

47 CONTINUED PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION FIVE OF THIS SECTION, OR A NON-RESI-

48 DENT OF THIS STATE WHO WAS ELECTED TO MEMBERSHIP PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION

49 SIX OF THIS SECTION, SHALL NOT BE CONSIDERED TO BE PERFORMING ANY FIRE-

50 MANIC DUTY, OR TO BE ENGAGED IN ANY FIREMANIC ACTIVITY, AS A MEMBER OF

51 THE FIRE COMPANY WHILE HE OR SHE IS OUTSIDE OF THIS STATE UNLESS AND

52 UNTIL HE OR SHE HAS FIRST REPORTED TO THE OFFICER OR FIREMAN IN COMMAND

53 OF HIS OR HER FIRE DEPARTMENT, OR ANY COMPANY, SQUAD OR OTHER UNIT THER-

54 EOF, ENGAGED OR TO BE ENGAGED IN RENDERING SERVICE OUTSIDE THIS STATE,

55 OR HAS RECEIVED ORDERS OR AUTHORIZATION FROM AN OFFICER OF THE FIRE

56 DEPARTMENT OR FIRE COMPANY TO PARTICIPATE IN OR ATTEND AUTHORIZED ACTIV-

A. 8982 5

1 ITIES OUTSIDE OF THIS STATE IN THE SAME MANNER AS RESIDENT MEMBERS OF

2 THE FIRE COMPANY.

3 10. A PERSON SHALL NOT BE ELIGIBLE TO VOLUNTEER MEMBERSHIP IN MORE

4 THAN ONE FIRE COMPANY AT ONE TIME.

5 11. THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION SHALL NOT BE DEEMED TO AUTHORIZE

6 THE ELECTION OF ANY PERSON AS A MEMBER OF A FIRE COMPANY OR THE CONTIN-

7 UANCE OF MEMBERSHIP IN A FIRE COMPANY AS PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION IF

8 SUCH ELECTION OR CONTINUANCE OF MEMBERSHIP SHALL BE CONTRARY TO THE

9 BY-LAWS, RULES OR REGULATIONS OF THE FIRE COMPANY OR OF THE FIRE DEPART-

10 MENT OF THE TOWN.

11 12. A TOWN MAY NOT ADOPT A LOCAL LAW CHANGING, AMENDING OR SUPERSEDING

12 THIS SECTION.

13 13. (A) IT SHALL BE AN UNLAWFUL DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICE FOR ANY VOLUN-

14 TEER FIRE DEPARTMENT OR FIRE COMPANY, THROUGH ANY MEMBER OR MEMBERS

15 THEREOF, OFFICERS, TOWN BOARD OR OTHER BODY OR OFFICE HAVING POWER OF

16 APPOINTMENT OF VOLUNTEER FIREMEN IN ANY FIRE DEPARTMENT OR FIRE COMPANY

17 PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION, BECAUSE OF THE RACE, CREED, COLOR, NATIONAL

18 ORIGIN, SEX OR MARITAL STATUS OF ANY INDIVIDUAL, TO EXCLUDE OR TO EXPEL

19 FROM ITS VOLUNTEER MEMBERSHIP SUCH INDIVIDUAL, OR TO DISCRIMINATE

20 AGAINST ANY OF ITS MEMBERS BECAUSE OF THE RACE, CREED, COLOR, NATIONAL

21 ORIGIN, SEX OR MARITAL STATUS OF SUCH VOLUNTEER MEMBERS.

22 ( ANY PERSON CLAIMING TO BE AGGRIEVED BY AN UNLAWFUL DISCRIMINATORY

23 PRACTICE PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION MAY BY HIMSELF OR HERSELF OR HIS OR

24 HER ATTORNEY AT LAW MAKE, SIGN AND FILE WITH THE STATE DIVISION OF HUMAN

25 RIGHTS, A VERIFIED COMPLAINT WHICH SHALL SET FORTH THE PARTICULARS OF

26 THE ALLEGED UNLAWFUL DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICE AND CONTAIN SUCH OTHER

27 INFORMATION AS THE DIVISION OF HUMAN RIGHTS MAY REQUIRE. THE DIVISION

28 SHALL THEREUPON CAUSE TO BE MADE AN INVESTIGATION AND DISPOSITION OF THE

29 CHARGES PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE FIFTEEN OF THE EXECUTIVE

30 LAW.

31 14. A PERSON WHO HAS BEEN CONVICTED OF ARSON IN ANY DEGREE SHALL NOT

32 BE ELIGIBLE TO BE ELECTED OR APPOINTED AS A VOLUNTEER MEMBER OF A FIRE

33 COMPANY. THE MEMBERSHIP OF ANY VOLUNTEER MEMBER OF A FIRE COMPANY SHALL

34 IMMEDIATELY TERMINATE IF HE OR SHE IS CONVICTED OF ARSON IN ANY DEGREE

35 WHILE A MEMBER OF A FIRE COMPANY.

36 15. UPON APPLICATION BY ANY PERSON FOR MEMBERSHIP IN A FIRE COMPANY

37 OPERATING PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION, THE FIRE CHIEF SHALL CAUSE THE

38 APPLICANT`S BACKGROUND TO BE CHECKED PURSUANT TO SECTION EIGHT HUNDRED

39 THIRTY-SEVEN-O OF THE EXECUTIVE LAW FOR A CRIMINAL HISTORY INVOLVING A

40 CONVICTION FOR ARSON.

41 S 165. INCORPORATION OF FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE MEMBERS OF ALL THE FIRE,

42 HOSE, PROTECTIVE AND HOOK AND LADDER COMPANIES OF A TOWN, ORGANIZED AND

43 MAINTAINED IN PURSUANCE OF LAW, CONSTITUTE A CORPORATION BY THE NAME OF

44 THE "FIRE DEPARTMENT OF.........." THE TERM, FIRE DEPARTMENT OF A TOWN,

45 AS USED IN THIS CHAPTER, REFERS TO SUCH A CORPORATION.

46 S 166. ELECTION OF COMPANY OFFICERS AND DELEGATES. EACH OF THE

47 SEVERAL COMPANIES WHOSE MEMBERS CONSTITUTE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT OF THE

48 TOWN SHALL HOLD AN ANNUAL MEETING ON THE FIRST TUESDAY IN APRIL IN EACH

49 YEAR. AT SUCH MEETING THE MEMBERS OF EACH COMPANY SHALL ELECT BY BALLOT

50 FROM THEIR OWN NUMBER A CAPTAIN AND A LIEUTENANT, AND SUCH FURTHER OFFI-

51 CERS IF ANY AS MAY BE PROVIDED FOR IN THE BY-LAWS OF THE COMPANY, WHO

52 MUST BE APPROVED BY THE TOWN, ONE WARDEN AND ONE DELEGATE TO THE GENERAL

53 CONVENTION OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE TERMS OF OFFICE OF THE CAPTAIN

54 AND LIEUTENANT AND SUCH FURTHER OFFICERS IF ANY, AS ARE ELECTED AS

55 PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION, SHALL BE ONE YEAR, THE WARDENS TWO YEARS, AND

56 THE DELEGATES THREE YEARS, RESPECTIVELY, AND ANY VACANCIES OCCURRING IN

A. 8982 6

1 ANY SUCH OFFICES SHALL BE FILLED BY ELECTION IN LIKE MANNER. AT THE

2 FIRST ANNUAL MEETING AFTER THIS ARTICLE TAKES EFFECT TWO WARDENS AND

3 THREE DELEGATES SHALL BE ELECTED, THE WARDENS TO SERVE FOR ONE AND TWO

4 YEARS, RESPECTIVELY, AND THE DELEGATES FOR ONE, TWO AND THREE YEARS,

5 RESPECTIVELY. ANY PERSON WHO HAS BEEN CONVICTED OF ARSON IN ANY DEGREE

6 SHALL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR ELECTION TO THE OFFICE OF CAPTAIN, LIEUTENANT,

7 WARDEN, DELEGATE AND ANY OTHER OFFICES PROVIDED FOR IN THE BY-LAWS OF

8 THE COMPANY. ANY CAPTAIN, LIEUTENANT, WARDEN, DELEGATE OR OTHER OFFICER

9 OF THE COMPANY WHO IS CONVICTED OF ARSON IN ANY DEGREE DURING HIS TERM

10 OF OFFICE SHALL BE DISQUALIFIED FROM COMPLETING SUCH TERM OF OFFICE.

11 S 167. CHIEF AND ASSISTANT CHIEFS. THE CHIEF AND THE FIRST AND SECOND

12 ASSISTANT CHIEFS AND SUCH ADDITIONAL ASSISTANT CHIEFS, IF ANY, AS MAY BE

13 PROVIDED FOR IN THE BY-LAWS OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SHALL EACH BE A

14 MEMBER THEREOF AND A RESIDENT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. IN ADDITION, THE

15 TOWN BOARD MAY, BY RESOLUTION, REQUIRE THAT ANY OR ALL OF SUCH FIRE

16 DEPARTMENT OFFICERS SHALL BE RESIDENTS OF THE TOWN. THE DELEGATES

17 ELECTED TO THE GENERAL CONVENTION OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SHALL MEET AT

18 THE COUNCIL ROOM THEREOF ON THE THURSDAY FOLLOWING THE FIRST TUESDAY IN

19 APRIL AND NOMINATE A PERSON FOR EACH OF SUCH OFFICES; BUT THE TOWN BOARD

20 MAY ADOPT A RULE REQUIRING ALL SUCH NOMINATIONS TO BE MADE ON THAT DAY

21 BY A VOTE OF THE DULY QUALIFIED MEMBERS OF THE DEPARTMENT, IN WHICH CASE

22 THE MEETING OF THE DELEGATES IN GENERAL CONVENTION, AS PROVIDED FOR IN

23 THIS SECTION, SHALL BE DISPENSED WITH. THE PERSON ACTING AS SECRETARY OF

24 SUCH CONVENTION SHALL FORTHWITH FILE IN THE OFFICE OF THE TOWN CLERK A

25 CERTIFICATE OF SUCH NOMINATIONS. THE TOWN BOARD AT ITS NEXT MEETING

26 SHALL CONSIDER THE NOMINATIONS AND APPOINT SUCH PERSONS TO THE OFFICES

27 TO WHICH THEY ARE RESPECTIVELY NOMINATED OR, IF A NOMINATION IS NOT

28 APPROVED THE BOARD SHALL RECONVENE THE GENERAL CONVENTION, WHICH SHALL

29 SUBMIT A NEW NOMINATION TO TAKE THE PLACE OF ANY NOMINATION NOT

30 APPROVED, WHICH PROCEDURE SHALL CONTINUE UNTIL A FULL SET OF OFFICERS IS

31 APPROVED. A PERSON WHO HAS BEEN CONVICTED OF ARSON IN ANY DEGREE SHALL

32 NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR NOMINATION, ELECTION OR APPOINTMENT TO THE OFFICE OF

33 CHIEF OR ASSISTANT CHIEF. ANY FIRE CHIEF OR ASSISTANT CHIEF WHO IS

34 CONVICTED OF ARSON IN ANY DEGREE DURING HIS OR HER TERM OF OFFICE SHALL

35 BE DISQUALIFIED FROM COMPLETING SUCH TERM OF OFFICE.

36 NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROVISIONS OF ANY GENERAL, SPECIAL OR LOCAL LAW

37 INCONSISTENT WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION, ANY SUCH CHIEF OR

38 ASSISTANT CHIEF OF A TOWN FIRE DEPARTMENT NEED NOT BE A RESIDENT OF THE

39 TOWN IN ORDER TO SERVE AS A MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT

40 OF THE TOWN PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE UNLESS THE TOWN BOARD HAS, BY

41 RESOLUTION, AS PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION, REQUIRED THAT ANY OR ALL OF

42 SUCH FIRE DEPARTMENT OFFICERS SHALL BE RESIDENTS OF THE TOWN. EXCEPT AS

43 OTHERWISE PROVIDED PURSUANT TO THIS PARAGRAPH, A PERSON SHALL NOT HOLD

44 THE OFFICE OF TOWN SUPERVISOR OR MEMBER OF THE TOWN BOARD AND THE OFFICE

45 OF CHIEF OR ASSISTANT CHIEF OF A TOWN FIRE DEPARTMENT AT THE SAME TIME.

46 A MEMBER OF THE TOWN BOARD WHO DOES NOT, EITHER AS AN INDIVIDUAL OR AS A

47 MEMBER OF SUCH BOARD, APPOINT OR APPROVE THE APPOINTMENT OF THE CHIEF OR

48 ASSISTANT CHIEF OF A TOWN FIRE DEPARTMENT, MAY HOLD THE OFFICE OF CHIEF

49 OR ASSISTANT CHIEF AT THE SAME TIME. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY INCONSISTENT

50 PROVISION OF LAW, A PERSON WHO IS THE CHIEF OR AN ASSISTANT CHIEF OF A

51 TOWN FIRE DEPARTMENT, IF HE OR SHE IS OTHERWISE QUALIFIED, MAY BE

52 ELECTED TO THE OFFICE OF TOWN SUPERVISOR OR MEMBER OF THE TOWN BOARD OR

53 MAY BE APPOINTED TO THE OFFICE OF TOWN SUPERVISOR OR MEMBER OF THE TOWN

54 BOARD TO FILL A VACANCY AND, IF HE OR SHE IS SO ELECTED OR APPOINTED,

55 HIS OR HER OFFICE AS CHIEF OR ASSISTANT CHIEF, AS THE CASE MAY BE, SHALL

A. 8982 7

1 BECOME VACANT UPON HIS OR HER TAKING HIS OR HER OATH OF OFFICE AS TOWN

2 SUPERVISOR OR MEMBER OF THE TOWN BOARD.

3 S 2. This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeed-

4 ing the date on which it shall have become a law.

Courtesy of the NYS Assembly.

[ex-commish 490]

In trying to decifer the language of this bill I have a few questions.

1. The bill allows for districts to be dissolved and transfer power to the town board. What if a town board does not want to take it over?

2. Each FD has a benevolent association. Would that have to merge as well?

3. I see Mt. Pleasant was mentioned in a post. Was an actual study conducted?

4. How will leadership be established in respects to Chief, Capt, LT, etc.

Thank you.

[Beekman 5]

While I definitely agree with consolidating Fire Districts when several are located in the same municipality, I do not agree with the Town Board taking control. I would rather see one larger Fire District. I don't really see any arguments against consolidation of departments. Same equipment, same rules and regs, bigger pool to draw officers from, etc.

[firemoose827 324]

What I am worried about here is, if this passes and NY adopts the paid County Depts, a lot of us volunteers will no longer be able to do what we love any more, help people and fight fires.

I think if they keep a "Paid-per-call" roster as well than it would not look like you are trying to just get rid of all of the people who busted their humps to get the training on their own time and give up lots of their free time to help their neighbors.

Im torn, because I know that we need better response times and better staffing requirements like training, but I also want to keep doing what I love doing. Its easy for most of you to respond to this because you already have a FT or PT job doing what you love. What about guys like me? Who are dedicated and devoted to firefighting, and believe we need higher standards, or higher levels of service for the people of our communities but dont want to be just swept asside and forgotten about?

In the end, Im for adopting the law and providing a better service to the people, but its gonna hurt.

[Guest EFFP411]

I suppose its along the same lines of what East Fishkill did in the 60's. Prior to 1967, there were 4 independent fire companies, in various areas of the town. They all operated separately, from what i can gather, which were then merged into what is now known as the "East Fishkill Fire District". There was alot of squabbling, and resistance there, but it worked out sorta well in the end . The town board was originally in charge, and power was then appointed/passed on to the board of fire commisioners. Before this, you didn;t dare respond into another firehouses "territory". If this is going to be the case, i don't see an issue with it, other than the resistance of the tons of "2.1 square mile feifdoms" scattered around the state. Take Montrose, Buchannan, Verplanck area. How many miles total between all three departments, 25 at the most?? I actually think it might be borderline on a good idea..... Anyone is free to correct me on this feeling as well, because we all know what happens to my mind when i'm tired and typing , but thats just my .02 cents!

Edited March 7, 2008 by EFFP411

[RichC 0]

Moose, I think you might be mis reading the article (or maybe I am) they are talking about getting rid of vol. fire departments not vol firefighters. "County paid protection" means the County pays and therefore runs the department, not moving to an all paid firefighting job. I do not think Western NY could afford that. Actually I think many other regions would be in that same boat.

I think we should not fear a county run system although I don't think they run everything perfectly but then who does. In those states with county wide departments the vol firefighter makes a major contribution in fire/rescue.

[ltmdepas3280 1]

I don't have a dog in this hunt, but someone please explain why an independant fire department that recieves tax dollars shouldn't be controled by the taxpayers. Why should a fire department or any department for that matter not be held accountable to the people that are giving them the money to operate.......You hear the Volunteer section of this state complain that there is to much required of there members (ex; training, making calls, drills....ect) but when a proposel is put forth to add some controls to the system everyone gets up in arms. From what I read there was no mention of eliminating anyone......only adding some oversite and accountablity.

[JTF429 37]

Why is it NY is always against progress. Look at our training programs most other states have pro board certs. Not us too many hours. Look at VA and MD they have been running county wide fire departments for years. They are combination departments that utilize volunteers and make thm better with training and tradition. What would be wrong with a combination department supplimented by volunteers or paid staffing during the day and volunteer duty crews at night. 2 person engines with 3 probies at a fire just does'nt cut it. :angry:

[helicopper 1,050]

201/65, thanks for the find! Posting the text of a bill in the legislature is much more enlightening than the quote of one disgruntled firefighter who doesn't even know which way response times should go!

However, I think this bill and the reference in the article are two separate animals. The Executive Budget proposal cited in the original article comes from the Governor's Office - not the legislature. In that is funding for a program that would allow "local governments to save property tax dollars through shared services and municipal consolidation".

This is the relevant section quoted from the Governor's Executive Budget proposal (not subject to copyright restrictions);

Promoting Local Government Efficiency

New York State’s local governments can reduce the burden on local taxpayers by minimizing overlap in the provision of public services and becoming more efficient. The Governor’s Commission on Local Government Efficiency and Competitiveness is working with local governments on nearly 150 initiatives that will save local taxpayer dollars through shared services and municipal consolidation. The Commission has also issued a series of recommendations in advance of its final report in April 2008 for inclusion in the Executive Budget.

Key initiatives include:

• Local Government Efficiency Grants. The State’s $25 million Shared Municipal Services Incentive program is restructured in 2008-09 to more effectively and expeditiously direct funding

to local consolidation and shared service efforts. As part of this program restructuring, new 21st Century Demonstration Grants will be provided to fund major countywide or regional initiatives ranging from consolidated public safety services to the creation of BOCES-wide school districts. By focusing attention on high profile initiatives likely to have the greatest impact on local property tax bills, 21st Century Demonstration Projects will provide all municipalities with a blueprint for implementing cost saving reforms.

• Improved Property Tax Administration. The Office of Real Property Services will provide new financial incentives and technology investments to improve local property tax administration across the State. This initiative will encourage the consolidation of property assessment and tax collection functions at the county level to bring greater efficiency, equity, and transparency to property tax administration.

• Local Highway Services. Legislation submitted with the Budget will encourage cost saving shared service arrangements between the State Department of Transportation and local highway departments. In addition, the State’s CHIPS aid program will be modified to eliminate statutory provisions which create a disincentive to municipal consolidation.

• Local Government Efficiency Information. High quality fiscal and performance data is an essential ingredient in any local government effort to improve efficiency. In 2008-09, the State Comptroller will be asked to expand data collection efforts to provide all localities with new efficiency and performance data that facilitate peer comparisons and help identify new opportunities to share services.

Fire departments are not mentioned anywhere in the executive budget proposal! They are a "local government" and could avail themselves of this special funding to explore consolidation but that is a local option - not a state mandate. The budget summary also does not describe anywhere the creation of county fire departments or paid fire departments at all for that matter.

The bill you describe above also serves to amend TOWN law, not COUNTY law and would enable towns to consolidate districts within their borders. It doesn't describe creating a paid department either - it gives options including employing part-time "call men".

Seems to me like a lot of "Chicken Little" reaction to a whole lot of nothing especially when the bill cited above was introduced almost a year ago. Where was the outcry then?

Consolidation is not necessarily a bad word or a bad thing!

[Bnechis 3,961]

In trying to decifer the language of this bill I have a few questions.

1. The bill allows for districts to be dissolved and transfer power to the town board. What if a town board does not want to take it over?

2. Each FD has a benevolent association. Would that have to merge as well?

3. I see Mt. Pleasant was mentioned in a post. Was an actual study conducted?

4. How will leadership be established in respects to Chief, Capt, LT, etc.

Thank you.

1. I read that the town board "shall"

2. There are depts with multiple ba's now.

3. I mentioned Mt. Pleasant as an example. I don't know if a formal study has been done, but I have done enough studies to know what is needed based on NFPA and ISO standards.

4. By the Town Board

[Bnechis 3,961]

What I am worried about here is, if this passes and NY adopts the paid County Depts, a lot of us volunteers will no longer be able to do what we love any more, help people and fight fires.

This has nothing to due with Counties. It only effects Fire Districts which by Current Law exist only within Towns. It also has nothing to due with getting rid of volunteers.

I think if they keep a "Paid-per-call" roster as well than it would not look like you are trying to just get rid of all of the people who busted their humps to get the training on their own time and give up lots of their free time to help their neighbors.

It just gives towns an option to fill the ranks, if they can't fill them any other way.

Im torn, because I know that we need better response times and better staffing requirements like training, but I also want to keep doing what I love doing. Its easy for most of you to respond to this because you already have a FT or PT job doing what you love. What about guys like me? Who are dedicated and devoted to firefighting, and believe we need higher standards, or higher levels of service for the people of our communities but dont want to be just swept asside and forgotten about? In the end, Im for adopting the law and providing a better service to the people, but its gonna hurt.

The only ones I see who will be swept aside are the Fire Commissioners.

[helicopper 1,050]

1. I read that the town board "shall"

With regard to # 1, the passage about what the town "shall" do is predicated on the first paragraph of the proposed legislation.

13 S 160. ESTABLISHMENT OF TOWN FIRE DEPARTMENT. NOTWITHSTANDING THE

14 PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE ELEVEN OF THIS CHAPTER OR ANY OTHER PROVISION OF

15 LAW TO THE CONTRARY, THE TOWN BOARD OF ANY TOWN MAY ESTABLISH AND OPER-

16 ATE A TOWN FIRE DEPARTMENT. IN EVERY TOWN IN WHICH THE TOWN BOARD ELECTS

17 TO ESTABLISH A TOWN FIRE DEPARTMENT, EVERY FIRE DISTRICT, ESTABLISHED

18 PURSUANT TO ARTICLE ELEVEN OF THIS CHAPTER, WITHIN SUCH TOWN SHALL BE

19 MERGED IN AND BE CONSOLIDATED WITH THE TOWN FIRE DEPARTMENT...

So the town must elect to do this, it is not mandatory.

Moose, I can understand your concern but there are a whole lot of things that have to happen here before anyone gets "swept" aside. First, the law has to be passed by the Senate and Assembly and then signed by the Governor. Then your town has to choose to avail itself of this option and finally they would have to choose to hire a fully paid staff before your volunteer position (or anyone else's) would be eliminated.

That's a whole lot of things that have to happen before you need to worry about giving up what you love. Frankly I think that, even if passed, the law would only be used in a handful of places and the impact on line firefighters would be neglible. Barry's right, Commissioner's would be eliminated and there may be fewer officer positions but in the grand scheme, I don't think you'd see a big change in paid or volunteer positions.

[TL2L31 8]

"The response time would go down and the tax payer bill would go up." said Townline Firefighter Fred Adams. The proposal would make it easier for voters to pass a referendum to get rid of volunteer fire departments, consolidate districts, and move to county paid fire protection."

1) Response time would go down is a good thing.

2) Tax payer bill would go up......That's not what has happened elsewhere.

3) Consolidated districts and a move to county paid fire protection - Yes this legislation moves to consolidate fire districts by merging them under the local town governmnet. So in westchester the following might occur;

In Harrison; "Downtown, Purchase and West Harrison" wold become 1 department. Would it save the taxpayers $$$, dont know, but now they need 9 engines under ISO, if merged they would need 4 to keep the same rating. But if they added a station on North St (by PD & VAC HQ) they would improve town wide response and ISO rating (and with all the Corporations on Westchester Ave it could save $10 - $20 million/yr in premiums).

In Mt Pleasant; It would merge Archville, Hawthorne, Pichantico hills, Pleasantville, Sleepy Hollow, Thornwood, & Valhalla under one dept. currently they have about 19 engines and under ISO would need about 12. At $500,000 equipped the replacement value is $3.5 million.

In Greenburgh it would merge Fairview, Greenville and Hartsdale.

Bedford, Cortland, Lewsboro, Yorktown would all see similar results.

No where in the legislation is "county government" involved and no where is "paid fire protection" an issue. In fact in many cases VFD's that are having trouble getting manning will do better since they will have to man fewer units per station and it will reduce the need to go "paid".

"It just isn't right. We try our best. We do it basically free and it just isn't right." said Adams."

ALS was right on this one. We tried our best to save your child, but...........

And tell the taxpayers on Long Island that its Basically For free. They have VFD's with budget career depts only hope for.

"Response times will go up. Staffing is going to be minimal, just what they need on a truck to cover. Just what they feel is necessary." said Randall Rider President of the Association of Fire Districts. He says the quality of your protection would go down and response times and cost would go up. "The study was done in 2003. It was between 4 and 7 billion then. Now, it would be 8 and a half billion dollars to go to a paid service across New York State." said Rider.

1) Staffing is going to be minimal? How many depts (paid or vol) currently get out the in one minute with 3ff/1of? How many meet any standards. If each dept only had to get 1 or 2 rigs out and the other "stations" did the same it would be easier to get the rigs out quicker with better staffing.

2) The study that was done in 2003 was a total sham. To scare everyone as to cost, it claimed that every vol would have to be replaced with a paid ff (one for one). They included in the numbers non active members, associate members, jr members, non interior members...etc. And they did not include the cost of LOSAP as a current cost. They also did not mention the comptrollers reports that showed how LOSAP were drastically underfunded to get past voters. The also claimed that every vol. station would have to be fully staffed (2 eng, ladder, rescue, chief) which in any large City, region or county system you never find that many staffed rigs, because you have additional stations to provide the 2nd due.

"We'll take it out. " said State Senator Dale Volker.......... He is fighting the bill now saying the move is designed as a way to regionalize services, but it won't lower your taxes. "The problem with some of this consolidation stuff is that you don't save any money at all. What they mean is somebody else takes care of it and probably it'll cost more by the somebody else that takes care of it." said Volker.

Smoke and Mirrors - "The problem with some of this" and "probably it'll cost more"

The bigger issue with this legislation is do not think that your department can get away with high cost and minimal protection forever. The taxpayers have had enough, if its not this legislation it will be something like Mass Propisiton 2 1/2 or Calif Prop 13 that will prevent your dept from getting the funding its use to.

Harrison doesnt have enough paid staff now, how can they handle three districts without hiring more men?

[PCFD ENG58 1,085]

The year is 2010, box alarm MILTON school milton road CITY OF RYE time is 1325 hrs. car 2425 [paid LT] to 60 control small fire under control, holding engine 192 [two men] engine 191[two men] ladder 25[two men] you can return engine 12 to HARRISON [two men] and have engine 58[two men] PORT CHESTER redirect from call and cover RYE HQ until units free up. O MY GOD WHAT WAS I THINKING

[TL2L31 8]

The year is 2010, box alarm MILTON school milton road CITY OF RYE time is 1325 hrs. car 2425 [paid LT] to 60 control small fire under control, holding engine 192 [two men] engine 191[two men] ladder 25[two men] you can return engine 12 to HARRISON [two men] and have engine 58[two men] PORT CHESTER redirect from call and cover RYE HQ until units free up. O MY GOD WHAT WAS I THINKING

One thing wrong, Rye only has 3 to 4 on staff, not 6.

[Bnechis 3,961]

With regard to # 1, the passage about what the town "shall" do is predicated on the first paragraph of the proposed legislation.

So the town must elect to do this, it is not mandatory.

Chris i must have been looking at something else, you are correct. Its also interesting that the info comming out of both the state chiefs & fire districts is claiming its shall

[Bnechis 3,961]

Harrison doesnt have enough paid staff now, how can they handle three districts without hiring more men?

I does not mean they would get rid of the volunteers in the other districts. But maybe it would force them to evaluate what staffing they really need (particularly if they do not have enough staff now).

[Bnechis 3,961]

The year is 2010, box alarm MILTON school milton road CITY OF RYE time is 1325 hrs. car 2425 [paid LT] to 60 control small fire under control, holding engine 192 [two men] engine 191[two men] ladder 25[two men] you can return engine 12 to HARRISON [two men] and have engine 58[two men] PORT CHESTER redirect from call and cover RYE HQ until units free up. O MY GOD WHAT WAS I THINKING

I was thinking, why do all these rigs need seating for 6?

[PCFD ENG58 1,085]

One thing wrong, Rye only has 3 to 4 on staff, not 6.

YOU FORGOT THE PAID LT, THATS 7 MEN PER SHIFT

[Guest Photounit]

In many towns, the Town Board isn't capable of running the Town let alone a Fire Department too... And it will give the Fire Service a big injection of something it doesn't need more of - POLITICS......

[Future Fireman 4]

In many towns, the Town Board isn't capable of running the Town let alone a Fire Department too... And it will give the Fire Service a big injection of something it doesn't need more of - POLITICS......

Simple equation:

(Insert Emergency Service i.e. FD,PD,EMS here) + POLITICAL BS = CRAP for the TAXPAYERS who use the services :angry: :angry:

Mike

[DOC22 1]

In many towns, the Town Board isn't capable of running the Town let alone a Fire Department too... And it will give the Fire Service a big injection of something it doesn't need more of - POLITICS......

I'll Second That!!!!!!!!!!! Actually I was thinking about this earlier. I just didn't get a chance to post it. Hey Bill, looks like great minds think alike?????HAHA

[SageVigiles 1,194]

YOU FORGOT THE PAID LT, THATS 7 MEN PER SHIFT

PCFD ENG58,

Please stop using all Caps Lock. It's unpleasant to read.

[PCFD ENG58 1,085]

Then DON'T READ!

[Goose 188]

In many towns, the Town Board isn't capable of running the Town let alone a Fire Department too... And it will give the Fire Service a big injection of something it doesn't need more of - POLITICS......

On the same token i often wonder if some of the volunteer leadership is any better off. At least elected officials could be held accountable. God forbid you try and question why a volunteer department needs to go drop so much on bells and whistles for their next engine or super tower ladder. As was mentioned, all these trucks are massive with like 9 man cabs and tons of do-dads and no one can do a damn thing because if you speak out your anti-volunteer. At least with a mayor or other government official the buck stops with someone and you can take steps to take that person out of power next election cycle....

Edited March 8, 2008 by Goose