S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   8307
 
                        2019-2020 Regular Sessions
 
                           I N  A S S E M B L Y
 
                               June 13, 2019
                                ___________
 
 Introduced by M. of A. NORRIS -- read once and referred to the Committee
   on Local Governments
 
 AN ACT to create the "commission on volunteer fire departments" to eval-
   uate the need for resources for volunteer fire departments
 
   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

   Section 1. (a) There is hereby created a commission to be known as the
 "commission on volunteer fire departments", hereafter referred to as the
 "commission", which  shall  be  tasked  with  evaluating  the  need  for
 resources for volunteer fire departments within the state.
   (b)  The  commission  shall  consist  of  eleven  members: six members
 appointed by the governor, one of which shall include  the  commissioner
 of  the  division  of homeland security and emergency services who shall
 serve as the chairperson, the director of the office of fire  prevention
 and  control,  one  member  appointed  by the temporary president of the
 senate, one member appointed by the speaker of the assembly, one  member
 appointed  by the minority leader of the senate and one member appointed
 by the minority leader of the assembly. All appointments to the  commis-
 sion shall be made within ninety days of the effective date of this act.
   (c)  The commission shall have the authority to direct the division of
 homeland security and emergency services to conduct any study related to
 researching or evaluating the status of volunteer fire departments with-
 in the state.
   (d) The commission shall consult with, or  attempt  to  consult  with,
 representatives  from the following organizations regarding the research
 or study of the status of volunteer fire departments within the state: a
 designee from the Firemen's Association of the  State  of  New  York,  a
 designee  from  the  New  York State Association of Counties, a designee
 from the New York Commission of Mayors, a designee  from  the  New  York
 State  Association  of  Fire  Chiefs, a designee from the Association of
 Fire Districts of New York, a designee from the  Volunteer  Fire  Police

  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
              

                                                            LBD13261-01-9

 A. 8307                             2
 
 Association of the State of New York, the County Fire Coordinators Asso-
 ciation of the State of New York and the New York State Fire Marshal and
 Inspectors Association.
   (e)  The  members  of the commission shall receive no compensation for
 their services, but shall be allowed their actual and necessary expenses
 incurred in the performance of their duties pursuant to this act.
   (f) The commission shall submit a  written  report  to  the  governor,
 temporary president of the senate, minority leader of the senate, speak-
 er  of  the assembly and minority leader of the assembly detailing their
 findings.  This report shall be made publicly available on the  division
 of  homeland security and emergency services' website within thirty days
 of being published.
   § 2. (a) The study shall evaluate staffing requirements for all volun-
 teer fire departments and volunteer emergency medical and volunteer fire
 police services within the state and subsequently develop  a  comprehen-
 sive recruitment and retention program. The commission shall also deter-
 mine,  in  conjunction  with  all  volunteer fire departments within the
 state, minimum needs of fire department apparatus, turnout gear,  rescue
 gear  or EMS lifesaving equipment and currently used equipment that does
 not meet the most current safety standards.
   (b) The commission shall include in their report an estimated cost  of
 replacing  or  renovating  fire department apparatus, vehicles, personal
 protective  equipment,  fire  department  structures,  recruitment   and
 retention  programs  or  any  other  necessary expenses outlined in such
 report, and assessed at the county level.
   (c) The commission shall hold at least three  public  hearings  within
 the  state,  one  in  each  of the following appellate districts: second
 appellate district;  third  appellate  district;  and  fourth  appellate
 district.
   (d)  The commission shall conduct and complete the study no later than
 the first of December next succeeding the third calendar year after  the
 effective date of this act.
   § 3. This act shall take effect immediately.