BILL NUMBER: S6727

SPONSOR: PALUMBO
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act in relation to the Southampton village ocean rescue

 
PURPOSE:

To authorize the village of Southampton to designate emergency response
and rescue vehicles assigned to the Southampton Village Ocean Rescue as
authorized emergency vehicles pursuant to section 101 of the vehicle and
traffic law.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1. Special act to authorize the village of Southampton to desig-
nate emergency response and rescue vehicles assigned to the Southampton
Village Ocean Rescue as authorized emergency vehicles pursuant to
section 101 of the vehicle and traffic law.

Section 2. Sets for an immediate effective date.
              

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Founded in April 2018, the Southampton Village Ocean Rescue (SVOR)
responds to emergencies in the ocean and bay throughout the village of
Southampton. They are dedicated to making expeditious and safe water
rescues year round at all unprotected beaches in Southampton village. In
2022, the State legislature enacted a special act for the state of New
York to recognize the critical life-saving functions and services
carried out by SVOR by authorizing the village of Southampton to desig-
nate SVOR ,by the adoption of a resolution by the Town board, as an
emergency rescue and first aid squad under section 209-b of the general
municipal law (chapter 419 of the laws of 2022).

Now a designated emergency rescue and first aid squad, members may
utilize green emergency lights when on route to rescue calls.  However,
the SVOR rescue vehicle that carries essential lifesaving rescue equip-
ment, such as automated external defibrillator, rescue line, rescue
boards, rescue tubes and frequently used to pull the trailered SVOR
rescue jet ski, cannot possess any emergency lights or sirens to assist
in getting through traffic in an emergency because an ocean rescue vehi-
cle is not included in the definition of an "authorized emergency vehi-
cle" under vehicle and traffic law section 101.

This legislation is necessary to authorize the village of Southampton to
designate emergency response and rescue vehicles assigned to the South-
ampton Village Ocean Rescue as authorized emergency vehicles pursuant to
section 101 of the vehicle and traffic law.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately.