NY State Senate Bill 2019-S7589B

Senate Bill S7589B

Signed By Governor

2019-2020 Legislative Session

Directs the office of fire prevention and control to form a task force and issue a report relating to volunteer firefighter recruitment and retention

download bill text pdf

Archive: Last Bill Status Via A9779 - Signed by Governor

Introduced
- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
Delivered to Governor
Signed By Governor

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Actions

View Actions

	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
Nov 11, 2020	approval memo.12 signed chap.258
Oct 30, 2020	delivered to governor
Jul 22, 2020	returned to assembly passed senate 3rd reading cal.820 substituted for s7589b
Jul 22, 2020	substituted by a9779a
Jul 21, 2020	ordered to third reading cal.820 reported and committed to rules
Jul 08, 2020	print number 7589b
Jul 08, 2020	amend (t) and recommit to finance
Jul 06, 2020	print number 7589a
Jul 06, 2020	amend (t) and recommit to finance
Jan 29, 2020	referred to finance

Votes

- Jul 22, 2020 - Floor Vote
  A9779
  
  60
  
  Aye
  
  0
  
  Nay
  
  0
  
  Absent
  
  0
  
  Excused
  
  0
  
  Abstained
  - - Floor Vote: Jul 22, 2020
      
      aye (60)
      
      Addabbo Jr.
      
      Akshar
      
      Amedore
      
      Bailey
      
      Benjamin
      
      Biaggi
      
      Borrello
      
      Boyle
      
      Breslin
      
      Brooks
      
      Carlucci
      
      Comrie
      
      Felder
      
      Funke
      
      Gallivan
      
      Gaughran
      
      Gianaris
      
      Gounardes
      
      Griffo
      
      Harckham
      
      Helming
      
      Hoylman-Sigal
      
      Jackson
      
      Jordan
      
      Kaminsky
      
      Kaplan
      
      Kavanagh
      
      Kennedy
      
      Krueger
      
      LaValle
      
      Lanza
      
      Little
      
      Liu
      
      Martinez
      
      May
      
      Mayer
      
      Metzger
      
      Montgomery
      
      Myrie
      
      O'Mara
      
      Ortt
      
      Parker
      
      Persaud
      
      Ramos
      
      Ranzenhofer
      
      Ritchie
      
      Rivera
      
      Robach
      
      Salazar
      
      Sanders Jr.
      
      Savino
      
      Sepúlveda
      
      Serino
      
      Serrano
      
      Seward
      
      Skoufis
      
      Stavisky
      
      Stewart-Cousins
      
      Tedisco
      
      Thomas
  Jul 21, 2020 - Rules Committee Vote
  S7589B
  
  19
  
  Aye
  
  0
  
  Nay
  
  0
  
  Aye with Reservations
  
  0
  
  Absent
  
  0
  
  Excused
  
  0
  
  Abstained
  - - Rules Committee Vote: Jul 21, 2020
      
      aye (19)
      
      Benjamin
      
      Breslin
      
      Comrie
      
      Gianaris
      
      Griffo
      
      Hoylman-Sigal
      
      Kennedy
      
      Krueger
      
      LaValle
      
      Lanza
      
      Little
      
      Liu
      
      Martinez
      
      Ortt
      
      Parker
      
      Robach
      
      Savino
      
      Seward
      
      Stewart-Cousins
  Jul 21, 2020 - Finance Committee Vote
  S7589B
  
  23
  
  Aye
  
  0
  
  Nay
  
  0
  
  Aye with Reservations
  
  0
  
  Absent
  
  0
  
  Excused
  
  0
  
  Abstained
  - - Finance Committee Vote: Jul 21, 2020
      
      aye (23)
      
      Bailey
      
      Benjamin
      
      Breslin
      
      Comrie
      
      Gallivan
      
      Hoylman-Sigal
      
      Kennedy
      
      Krueger
      
      LaValle
      
      Lanza
      
      Little
      
      Liu
      
      Montgomery
      
      Parker
      
      Ranzenhofer
      
      Ritchie
      
      Rivera
      
      Robach
      
      Savino
      
      Seward
      
      Skoufis
      
      Stavisky
      
      Thomas

Bill Amendments

Original

B (Active)

co-Sponsors

2019-S7589 - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A9779
Law Section:: Executive Department

2019-S7589 - Summary

Directs the office of fire prevention and control within the division of homeland security and emergency services to form a task force and issue a report relating to volunteer firefighter recruitment and retention; creates the New York state volunteer firefighter recruitment and retention task force; requires a report to the governor and legislature on Firefighter 1 training, and all other firefighter training offered by the office of fire prevention and control, and delivery methods to enhance and streamline training including the use of distance learning; the utilization of community colleges, BOCES or state accredited high schools to train firefighters and the creation of pilot programs within community colleges or BOCES that will offer Firefighter 1 certification upon completion

2019-S7589 - Sponsor Memo

                                
 
BILL NUMBER: S7589                     Revised 5/21/2020

SPONSOR: GAUGHRAN
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the executive law, in relation to creating the New York
state volunteer firefighter recruitment and retention task force

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

To create a recruitment and retention task force, which shall be inclu-
sive of relevant state agencies and designated associations representing
volunteer firefighters, to provide the governor and state legislature
with recommendations to assist in the recruitment and retention of
volunteer firefighters.

 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

Section one amends the executive law by creating a new section 159-D-1
to provide for the creation of a fourteen-member task force that shall
provide the legislature and governor, no later than one year after

enactment, recommendations on the most effective ways to increase
recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters. The task force
shall specifically look at the current training methods for volunteer
firefighters and most effective delivery methods for such training;
utilization of community colleges, BOCES and state accredited high
schools to train firefighters and the creation of pilot programs within
community colleges and BOCES that will offer Firefighter 1 certification
upon completion; creation of a dedicated bureau within the office of
fire prevention and control responsible for the recruitment and
retention of volunteer firefighters; analysis of current tax incentives
and volunteer firefighter benefit programs and recommendations as to
these or new programs; analysis of recruitment and retention programs
being successfully utilized in other states and recommendations as to
the adoption of similar programs in New York State; and identification
of incentive programs that will assist in the recruitment of volunteer
firefighters from under-served and/or at-risk populations.

Section 2 this act shall take effect immediately.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Volunteer firefighters serve not only an important function as first
responders in the community they serve, but volunteers are often the
first line of defense during a state-wide emergency, like COVID-19.
Over the years the number of individuals willing to join the volunteer
fire service has decreased. This has put a strain on many communities as
they seek to ensure the protection of their residents. The COVID-19
pandemic has further exacerbated the ability to recruit volunteer fire-
fighters.  Communities are left with very few options if they are unable
to recruit volunteer firefighters and the dwindling numbers could put
many communities in danger.

The Firemen's Association of the State of New York, Association of Fire
Districts of New York, State Association of Fire Chiefs and New York
State Fire Coordinators have been left with the sole responsibility of
the recruitment of volunteer firefighters. Although these four not-for-
profit organizations have done a remarkable job, it is imperative that
the State of New York become involved in this ongoing problem. Now more
than ever, as we battle COVID-19 across the state, it is apparent that
we must bring together the respective associations and relevant state
agencies to design an effective and comprehensive set of recommendations
that will assist in the recruitment and retention of volunteer fire-
fighters.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

2019-S7589 - Bill Text download pdf

                            
 
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   7589
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                             January 29, 2020
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by Sen. GAUGHRAN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed to the Committee on Finance
 
 AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to creating the New  York
   state volunteer firefighter recruitment and retention task force
 
   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

   Section 1. The executive law  is  amended  by  adding  a  new  section
 159-d-1 to read as follows:
   §  159-D-1.  NEW  YORK  STATE  VOLUNTEER  FIREFIGHTER  RECRUITMENT AND
 RETENTION TASK FORCE. THERE IS HEREBY CREATED THE VOLUNTEER  FIREFIGHTER
 RECRUITMENT  AND  RETENTION TASK FORCE WHOSE MEMBERSHIP SHALL CONSIST OF
 THE CHAIR OR HIS OR HER DESIGNEE; THE COMMISSIONER OF HOMELAND  SECURITY
 AND  EMERGENCY  SERVICES  OR  HIS  OR  HER DESIGNEE; THE COMMISSIONER OF
 EDUCATION OR HIS OR HER DESIGNEE; THE CHANCELLOR OF THE STATE UNIVERSITY
 OF NEW YORK OR HIS OR HER DESIGNEE; THE  COMMISSIONER  OF  TAXATION  AND
 FINANCE  OR HIS OR HER DESIGNEE; THE COMMISSIONER OF LABOR OR HIS OR HER
 DESIGNEE; THE PRESIDENT OF THE FIREMAN'S ASSOCIATION OF THE STATE OF NEW
 YORK OR HIS OR HER DESIGNEE; THE PRESIDENT OF THE  ASSOCIATION  OF  FIRE
 DISTRICTS  OR  HIS  OR HER DESIGNEE; THE PRESIDENT OF THE NEW YORK STATE
 ASSOCIATION OF FIRE CHIEFS OR HIS OR HER DESIGNEE; THE PRESIDENT OF  THE
 NEW  YORK  STATE FIRE COORDINATORS OR HIS OR HER DESIGNEE; THE TEMPORARY
 PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE OR HIS OR  HER  DESIGNEE;  THE  SPEAKER  OF  THE
 ASSEMBLY  OR  HIS  OR HER DESIGNEE; THE MINORITY LEADER OF THE SENATE OR
 HIS OR HER DESIGNEE; AND THE MINORITY LEADER OF THE ASSEMBLY OR  HIS  OR
 HER  DESIGNEE.  THE  GOVERNOR SHALL APPOINT THE CHAIR OF THE TASK FORCE.
 THE TASK FORCE SHALL REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR, THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY
 AND THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE NO LATER THAN ONE  YEAR  AFTER
 THE  EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION.  SUCH REPORT SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT
 BE LIMITED TO, RECOMMENDATIONS CONCERNING:
   1. FIREFIGHTER 1 TRAINING, AND ALL OTHER FIREFIGHTER TRAINING  OFFERED
 BY  THE  OFFICE  OF FIRE PREVENTION AND CONTROL, AND DELIVERY METHODS TO
 ENHANCE AND STREAMLINE TRAINING INCLUDING THE USE OF DISTANCE LEARNING;
   2. THE UTILIZATION OF COMMUNITY COLLEGES, BOCES  OR  STATE  ACCREDITED
 HIGH  SCHOOLS  TO  TRAIN FIREFIGHTERS AND THE CREATION OF PILOT PROGRAMS
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets

                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD15049-01-0

 S. 7589                             2

 WITHIN COMMUNITY COLLEGES OR BOCES THAT WILL OFFER FIREFIGHTER 1 CERTIF-
 ICATION UPON COMPLETION;
   3.  THE  CREATION  OF  A  DEDICATED  BUREAU  WITHIN THE OFFICE OF FIRE
 PREVENTION AND CONTROL RESPONSIBLE  FOR  RECRUITMENT  AND  RETENTION  OF
 VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS;
   4.   TAX  INCENTIVES  AND  VOLUNTEER  FIREFIGHTER  BENEFITS  CURRENTLY
 PROVIDED AND RECOMMENDATIONS AS TO THESE OR NEW PROGRAMS;
   5. ANALYSIS OF CURRENT RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION PROGRAMS SUCCESSFULLY
 BEING UTILIZED BY OTHER STATES AND RECOMMENDATIONS  AS  TO  ADOPTION  OF
 SIMILAR PROGRAMS IN NEW YORK; AND
   6. IDENTIFICATION AND RECRUITMENT INCENTIVES TO ASSIST IN THE RECRUIT-
 MENT  OF VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS FROM UNDER-REPRESENTED AND AT-RISK POPU-
 LATIONS.
   ALL APPOINTEES OF THE TASK FORCE SHALL BE MADE NO  LATER  THAN  THIRTY
 DAYS  AFTER  THE  EFFECTIVE  DATE  OF THIS SECTION. ANY VACANCY SHALL BE
 FILLED BY THE APPOINTING AUTHORITY. THE TASK FORCE SHALL  MEET  NO  LESS
 THAN  SIX TIMES PRIOR TO ISSUING ITS RECOMMENDATIONS. THE MEMBERS OF THE
 TASK FORCE SHALL SERVE WITHOUT COMPENSATION, EXCEPT THAT  MEMBERS  SHALL
 BE  ALLOWED THEIR NECESSARY AND ACTUAL EXPENSES INCURRED IN THE PERFORM-
 ANCE OF THEIR DUTIES UNDER THIS  SECTION.  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF  HOMELAND
 SECURITY  AND  EMERGENCY SERVICES SHALL PROVIDE THE TASK FORCE WITH SUCH
 FACILITIES, ASSISTANCE, AND DATA AS WILL ENABLE SUCH TASK FORCE TO CARRY
 OUT ITS POWERS AND DUTIES.
   § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.

co-Sponsors

2019-S7589A - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A9779
Law Section:: Executive Department

2019-S7589A - Summary

2019-S7589A - Sponsor Memo

                                
 
BILL NUMBER: S7589A

SPONSOR: GAUGHRAN
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the executive law, in relation to directing the office
of fire prevention and control within the division of homeland security
and emergency services to form a task force and issue a report relating
to volunteer firefighter recruitment and retention; and providing for
the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

To create a recruitment and retention task force, which shall be inclu-
sive of relevant state agencies, designated associations representing
volunteer firefighters and members of the Legislature to provide the
Governor, the Senate and the Assembly with recommendations to assist in
the recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters.

 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

Section one amends the executive law by creating a new Section 159-d-1
to provide for the creation of a seventeen-member task force that shall
provide the Legislature and Governor, no later than one year after
enactment, recommendations on the most effective ways to increase
recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters. The task force
shall specifically look at the current training methods for volunteer
firefighters and most effective delivery methods for such training;
utilization of community colleges, BOCES and state accredited high
schools to train firefighters and the creation of pilot programs within
community colleges and BOCES that will offer Firefighter 1 certification
upon completion; creation of a dedicated bureau within the office of
fire prevention and control responsible for the recruitment and
retention of volunteer firefighters; analysis of current tax incentives
and volunteer firefighter benefit programs and recommendations as to
these or new programs; analysis of recruitment and retention programs
being successfully utilized in other states and recommendations as to
the adoption of similar programs in New York State; and identification
of incentive programs that will assist in the recruitment of volunteer
firefighters from under-served and/or at-risk populations.

Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and
be deemed repealed December 31, 2021.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Volunteer firefighters serve not only an important function as first
responders in the community they serve, but volunteers are often the
first line of defense during a state-wide emergency, like COVID-19.
Over the years the number of individuals willing to join the volunteer
fire service has decreased. This has put a strain on many communities as
they seek to ensure the protection of their residents. The COVID-19
pandemic has further exacerbated the ability to recruit volunteer fire-
fighters. Communities are left with very few options if they are unable
to recruit volunteer firefighters and the dwindling numbers could put
many communities in danger.

The Firemen's Association of the State of New York, Association of Fire
Districts of New York, State Association of Fire Chiefs and New York
State Fire Coordinators have been left with the sole responsibility of
the recruitment of volunteer firefighters. Although these four not-for-
profit organizations have done a remarkable job, it is imperative that
the State of New York become involved in this ongoing problem. Now more
than ever, as we battle COVID-19 across the state, it is apparent that
we must bring together the respective associations and relevant state
agencies to design an effective and comprehensive set of recommendations
that will assist in the recruitment and retention of volunteer fire-
fighters.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be deemed
repealed December 31, 2021.

2019-S7589A - Bill Text download pdf

                            
 
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                  7589--A
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                             January 29, 2020
                                ___________
 
 Introduced by Sens. GAUGHRAN, ADDABBO, KAPLAN, SKOUFIS -- read twice and
   ordered  printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on
   Finance -- committee discharged, bill amended,  ordered  reprinted  as
   amended and recommitted to said committee
 
 AN  ACT  to amend the executive law, in relation to directing the office
   of fire prevention and control within the division of homeland securi-
   ty and emergency services to form a task  force  and  issue  a  report
   relating  to  volunteer  firefighter  recruitment  and  retention; and
   providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
 
   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section  1.  The  executive  law  is  amended  by adding a new section
 159-d-1 to read as follows:
   § 159-D-1.  NEW  YORK  STATE  VOLUNTEER  FIREFIGHTER  RECRUITMENT  AND
 RETENTION  TASK FORCE. THERE IS HEREBY CREATED THE VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER
 RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION TASK FORCE WHOSE MEMBERSHIP SHALL  CONSIST  OF
 THE  CHAIR  TO BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR, OR HIS OR HER DESIGNEE; THE
 STATE FIRE ADMINISTRATOR; THE  COMMISSIONER  OF  HOMELAND  SECURITY  AND
 EMERGENCY SERVICES OR HIS OR HER DESIGNEE; THE COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION
 OR  HIS  OR  HER DESIGNEE; THE CHANCELLOR OF THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW
 YORK OR HIS OR HER DESIGNEE; THE COMMISSIONER OF TAXATION AND FINANCE OR
 HIS OR HER DESIGNEE; THE COMMISSIONER OF LABOR OR HIS OR  HER  DESIGNEE;
 THE  PRESIDENT  OF THE FIREMAN'S ASSOCIATION OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK OR
 HIS OR HER DESIGNEE; THE PRESIDENT OF THE ASSOCIATION OF FIRE  DISTRICTS
 OR  HIS OR HER DESIGNEE; THE PRESIDENT OF THE NEW YORK STATE ASSOCIATION
 OF FIRE CHIEFS OR HIS OR HER DESIGNEE; THE PRESIDENT  OF  THE  NEW  YORK
 STATE FIRE COORDINATORS OR HIS OR HER DESIGNEE; TWO MEMBERS APPOINTED BY
 THE  TEMPORARY  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  SENATE  OR  HIS OR HER DESIGNEE; TWO
 MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY OR HIS OR HER DESIGNEE;
 ONE MEMBER APPOINTED BY THE MINORITY  LEADER  OF  THE  SENATE;  AND  ONE
 MEMBER  APPOINTED  BY  THE MINORITY LEADER OF THE ASSEMBLY. THE GOVERNOR
 SHALL APPOINT THE CHAIR OF THE TASK FORCE. THE TASK FORCE  SHALL  REPORT
 TO THE GOVERNOR, THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY AND THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT
 OF  THE  SENATE  NO LATER THAN ONE YEAR AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets

                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD15049-03-0

 S. 7589--A                          2

 SECTION.  SUCH REPORT SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO,  RECOMMENDA-
 TIONS CONCERNING:
   1.  FIREFIGHTER 1 TRAINING, AND ALL OTHER FIREFIGHTER TRAINING OFFERED
 BY THE OFFICE OF FIRE PREVENTION AND CONTROL, AND  DELIVERY  METHODS  TO
 ENHANCE AND STREAMLINE TRAINING INCLUDING THE USE OF DISTANCE LEARNING;
   2.  THE  UTILIZATION  OF COMMUNITY COLLEGES, BOCES OR STATE ACCREDITED
 HIGH SCHOOLS TO TRAIN FIREFIGHTERS AND THE CREATION  OF  PILOT  PROGRAMS
 WITHIN COMMUNITY COLLEGES OR BOCES THAT WILL OFFER FIREFIGHTER 1 CERTIF-
 ICATION UPON COMPLETION;
   3.  THE  CREATION  OF  A  DEDICATED  BUREAU  WITHIN THE OFFICE OF FIRE
 PREVENTION AND CONTROL RESPONSIBLE  FOR  RECRUITMENT  AND  RETENTION  OF
 VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS;
   4.   TAX  INCENTIVES  AND  VOLUNTEER  FIREFIGHTER  BENEFITS  CURRENTLY
 PROVIDED AND RECOMMENDATIONS AS TO THESE OR NEW PROGRAMS;
   5. ANALYSIS OF CURRENT RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION PROGRAMS SUCCESSFULLY
 BEING UTILIZED BY OTHER STATES AND RECOMMENDATIONS  AS  TO  ADOPTION  OF
 SIMILAR PROGRAMS IN NEW YORK; AND
   6. IDENTIFICATION AND RECRUITMENT INCENTIVES TO ASSIST IN THE RECRUIT-
 MENT  OF VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS FROM UNDER-REPRESENTED AND AT-RISK POPU-
 LATIONS.
   ALL APPOINTEES OF THE TASK FORCE SHALL BE MADE NO  LATER  THAN  THIRTY
 DAYS  AFTER  THE  EFFECTIVE  DATE  OF THIS SECTION. ANY VACANCY SHALL BE
 FILLED BY THE APPOINTING AUTHORITY. THE TASK FORCE SHALL  MEET  NO  LESS
 THAN  SIX  TIMES  AS FREQUENTLY AS DEEMED NECESSARY PRIOR TO ISSUING ITS
 RECOMMENDATIONS. THE MEMBERS OF  THE  TASK  FORCE  SHALL  SERVE  WITHOUT
 COMPENSATION,  EXCEPT  THAT MEMBERS SHALL BE ALLOWED THEIR NECESSARY AND
 ACTUAL EXPENSES INCURRED IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR DUTIES  UNDER  THIS
 SECTION. THE OFFICE OF FIRE PREVENTION AND CONTROL WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT
 OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY SERVICES SHALL PROVIDE THE TASK FORCE
 WITH  SUCH  FACILITIES,  ASSISTANCE,  AND  DATA AS WILL ENABLE SUCH TASK
 FORCE TO CARRY OUT ITS POWERS AND DUTIES WITHIN REASON.
   § 2. This act shall take effect immediately and shall  expire  and  be
 deemed repealed December 31, 2021.

co-Sponsors

2019-S7589B (ACTIVE) - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A9779
Law Section:: Executive Department

2019-S7589B (ACTIVE) - Summary

2019-S7589B (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

                                
 
BILL NUMBER: S7589B

SPONSOR: GAUGHRAN
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act directing the office of fire prevention and control within the
division of homeland security and emergency services to form a task
force and issue a report relating to volunteer firefighter recruitment
and retention; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon
expiration thereof

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

To create a recruitment and retention task force, which shall be inclu-
sive of relevant state agencies, designated associations representing
volunteer firefighters and members of the Legislature to provide the
Governor, the Senate and the Assembly with recommendations to assist in
the recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters.

 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

Section one amends the executive law by creating a new Section 159-d-1
to provide for the creation of a task force that shall provide the
Legislature and Governor, no later than one year after enactment, recom-
mendations on the most effective ways to increase recruitment and
retention of volunteer firefighters. The task force shall specifically
look at the current training methods for volunteer firefighters and most
effective delivery methods for such training; utilization of community
colleges, BOCES and state accredited high schools to train firefighters
and the creation of pilot programs within community colleges and BOCES
that will offer Firefighter 1 certification upon completion; creation of
a dedicated bureau within the office of fire prevention and control
responsible for the recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters;
analysis of current tax incentives and volunteer firefighter benefit
programs and recommendations as to these or new programs; analysis of
recruitment and retention programs being successfully utilized in other
states and recommendations as to the adoption of similar programs in New
York State; and identification of incentive programs that will assist in
the recruitment of volunteer firefighters from under-served and/or
at-risk populations.

Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and
be deemed repealed December 31, 2021.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Volunteer firefighters serve not only an important function as first
responders in the community they serve, but volunteers are often the
first line of defense during a state-wide emergency, like COVID-19.

Over the years the number of individuals willing to join the volunteer
fire service has decreased. This has put a strain on many communities as
they seek to ensure the protection of their residents.  The COVID-19
pandemic has further exacerbated the ability to recruit volunteer fire-
fighters. Communities are left with very few options if they are unable
to recruit volunteer firefighters and the dwindling numbers could put
many communities in danger.


The Firemen's Association of the State of New York, Association of Fire
Districts of New York, State Association of Fire Chiefs and New York
State Fire Coordinators have been left with the sole responsibility of
the recruitment of volunteer firefighters. Although these four not-for-
profit organizations have done a remarkable job, it is imperative that
the State of New York become involved in this ongoing problem. Now more
than ever, as we battle COVID-19 across the state, it is apparent that
we must bring together the respective associations and relevant state
agencies to design an effective and comprehensive set of recommendations
that will assist in the recruitment and retention of volunteer fire-
fighters.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be deemed
repealed December 31, 2021.

2019-S7589B (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                            
 
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                  7589--B
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                             January 29, 2020
                                ___________
 
 Introduced by Sens. GAUGHRAN, ADDABBO, KAPLAN, SKOUFIS -- read twice and
   ordered  printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on
   Finance -- committee discharged, bill amended,  ordered  reprinted  as
   amended  and  recommitted  to  said committee -- committee discharged,
   bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended  and  recommitted  to  said
   committee

 AN  ACT  directing  the office of fire prevention and control within the
   division of homeland security and emergency services to  form  a  task
   force and issue a report relating to volunteer firefighter recruitment
   and  retention;  and  providing for the repeal of such provisions upon
   expiration thereof
 
   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section  1.  New  York  state  volunteer  firefighter  recruitment and
 retention task force. There is hereby created the volunteer  firefighter
 recruitment  and  retention task force whose membership shall consist of
 the chair to be appointed by the governor; the  state fire administrator
 or his or her designee; the commissioner of  education  or  his  or  her
 designee;  the  chancellor of the state university of New York or his or
 her designee; the commissioner of taxation and finance  or  his  or  her
 designee;  the  commissioner of labor or his or her designee; the presi-
 dent of the Fireman's Association of the State of New York or his or her
 designee; the president of the Association of Fire Districts or  his  or
 her  designee;  the  president of the New York State Association of Fire
 Chiefs or his or her designee; the president of the New York State  Fire
 Coordinators or his or her designee; two members appointed by the tempo-
 rary  president  of  the senate; two members 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.    The
 task force shall report to the governor, the speaker of the assembly and
 the  temporary  president of the senate no later than one year after the
 effective date of this act.   Such report  shall  include,  but  not  be
 limited to, recommendations concerning:
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.

                                                            LBD15049-07-0

 S. 7589--B                          2
 
   1.  Firefighter 1 training, and all other firefighter training offered
 by the office of fire prevention and control, and  delivery  methods  to
 enhance and streamline training including the use of distance learning;
   2.  The  utilization  of community colleges, BOCES or state accredited
 high schools to train firefighters and the creation  of  pilot  programs
 within community colleges or BOCES that will offer Firefighter 1 certif-
 ication upon completion;
   3.  The  creation  of  a  dedicated  bureau  within the office of fire
 prevention and control responsible  for  recruitment  and  retention  of
 volunteer firefighters;
   4.   Tax  incentives  and  volunteer  firefighter  benefits  currently
 provided and recommendations as to these or new programs;
   5. Analysis of current recruitment and retention programs successfully
 being utilized by other states and recommendations  as  to  adoption  of
 similar programs in New York; and
   6. Identification and recruitment incentives to assist in the recruit-
 ment  of volunteer firefighters from under-represented and at-risk popu-
 lations.
   All appointees of the task force shall be made no  later  than  thirty
 days  after  the effective date of this act. Any vacancy shall be filled
 by the appointing authority. The task force shall meet as frequently  as
 deemed  necessary  prior  to issuing its recommendations. The members of
 the task force shall serve without  compensation,  except  that  members
 shall  be  allowed  their  necessary and actual expenses incurred in the
 performance of their duties under  this  section.  The  office  of  fire
 prevention  and  control  within the department of homeland security and
 emergency services shall provide the task force  with  such  facilities,
 assistance,  and  data  as  will enable such task force to carry out its
 powers and duties within reason.
   § 2. This act shall take effect immediately and shall  expire  and  be
 deemed repealed December 31, 2021.

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Senate Bill S7589B

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Sponsored By

Archive: Last Bill Status Via A9779 - Signed by Governor

Bill Amendments

co-Sponsors

2019-S7589 - Details

2019-S7589 - Summary

2019-S7589 - Sponsor Memo

2019-S7589 - Bill Text download pdf

co-Sponsors

2019-S7589A - Details

2019-S7589A - Summary

2019-S7589A - Sponsor Memo

2019-S7589A - Bill Text download pdf

co-Sponsors

2019-S7589B (ACTIVE) - Details

2019-S7589B (ACTIVE) - Summary

2019-S7589B (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2019-S7589B (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

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