Legislative Agenda Available in January

The NYSAFC 2011 Legislative Agenda, outlining issues that are a priority on the state and federal level, will be made available on the association's website in January. The list will include:

Felony Offenders Background Checks for Volunteer Firefighters.
Elimination of Exemption from Seat Belt Law.
Bail Out Rope Repeal.
Allow Volunteer Fire Departments to Bill for EMS Services.
Expand the Workers' Compensation Coverage for Certain Cancers.
Health Care Insurance for Volunteers Through Access to the Healthy New York Plan.
Fallen Firefighter Memorial Recognition Bill.

The website will also include the 2011 "Issues of United Concern," presented by NYSAFC along with Association of Fire Districts of the State of New York, County Fire Coordinators' Association of the State of New York, Firemen's Association of the State of New York, New York State EMS Coordinators Association, New York State Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association, New York State Volunteer Ambulance and Rescue Association, and Volunteer Fire Police Association of the State of New York. This year's Issues will include:

Fallen Firefighter Recognition Bill.
Blue Lights on and EMS Vehicles.
Bail Out Repeal.
Consolidation Amendments.
Elimination of Exemption from Seat Belt Law.
Felony Offenders Background Check for Volunteers.
Health Insurance for Volunteers.

Both legislative agendas will also be published in the upcoming issue of SIZE UP magazine, Issue 1 • 2011. This annual "Legislative Issue," which will be available in early March, will also include a preview of things to come in the new year from Director of Government Affairs Ken LaSala of the International Association of Fire Chiefs in his regular SIZE UP column, "View from the Hill." It will also include an article highlighting what the fire service may see as new government leaders converge in Albany in 2011.

Questions concerning the NYSAFC Legislative Agenda can be directed to the association's Government Affairs Committee.