Senator Phillips Joins Local Volunteer Firefighters To Support Measure Allowing Departments To Charge For Ambulance Service At No Cost To Taxpayers

Senator Elaine Phillips today joined with members of the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York, the New York Association of Fire Chiefs and local volunteer firefighters to support legislation that would allow volunteer fire departments that provide emergency medical services to charge for ambulance transports at no cost to the taxpayers.

“Volunteer fire departments are the backbone of our community and a crucial part of Long Island’s culture,” Senator Elaine Phillips said. “This common-sense legislation that would allow fire departments that provide emergency medical services to recover transportation costs is a simple solution to help the brave men and women who protect us each and every day. They do not deny our call for help, so let’s not deny theirs.”

The bill (S363A), which Senator Phillips is sponsoring, would allow fire departments to charge for emergency medical ambulance transportation provided to residents in need. The measure will add no additional costs to taxpayers.

This measure will provide much-needed financial assistance to many of the state’s departments, and the cost recovery will ensure that ambulances are properly staffed 24/7/365, while also likely yielding improved response times.

Every other emergency medical provider that offers ambulance service in New York, including police departments, ambulance departments, volunteer ambulance corps and for-profit providers, can charge for their transport service.

The measure is currently pending in the Senate Committee on Local Government.