Senators Rolison, Skoufis and Fellow Legislators Join CSEA to Push 25-Year Retirement Plan for Military and Naval Firefighters

Senator James Skoufis (D-Orange County) was joined by Assemblyman Jonathon Jacobson (D-Newburgh), Assemblyman Chris Eachus (D-New Windsor), New Windsor Supervisor Stephen Bedetti, firefighters from the Division of Military and Naval Affairs (DMNA), and representatives from the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) to advocate for the 25-Year Retirement Plan for Military and Naval firefighters. The plan was included in the Senate’s budget proposal and lawmakers and union representatives alike are pushing to see it included in the state’s final budget.

Providing pensions for DMNA firefighters, including those who work at Stewart Air National Guard Base in Orange County, equal to that of municipal firefighters is a matter of fairness and will boost recruitment among these essential first responders. DMNA firefighters face similar workplace risks as their municipal colleagues, yet aren’t currently eligible for the same pension benefits. The proposed legislation would grant firefighters a pension equivalent to half their final salary after 25 years of service, ensuring DMNA firefighters receive the compensation and recognition they deserve.

"DMNA firefighters are career firefighters who not only protect their base and airport along with the entire region,” said Senator Rollison. They face the same risks and deserve the same respect and compensation as their municipal counterparts. Anything less is an insult to their service. The state must do the right thing and include this in the final budget."

The same day we hosted a press conference to advocate for the same compensation as their municipal counterparts, our guys responded to a Newburgh fire and were on scene for several hours. 

Anything less than a 25-year retirement benefit is an insult to their service.