As 2014 comes to an end, the fire service is preparing for the beginning of a new legislative session in 2015. Governor Andrew Cuomo will take the oath of office on January 1, 2015, for a second term and the Assembly and Senate will return to Albany on January 7, 2015, to start a new legislature. There will be many new faces in the each house.

NYSAFC and our fire service partners, the 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 Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association, and the Volunteer Fire Police Association of the State of New York, have once again agreed on the top issues of concern to all of us. These associations will be working together for the benefit of the fire service to seek changes in legislation as well as rules and regulations for the good of all our members.

We have all agreed on the list of items known as the "Issues of United Concern" and will seek enactment of them all. There are additional measures that the NYSAFC Government Affairs Committee and the board of directors have identified as important to the State Chiefs and we will be working on those as well. Both agendas are listed below. Visit the NYSAFC website for updates on these items.

2015 "Issues of United Concern"

The "Issues of United Concern" is presented by the 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 Association of Fire Chiefs, New York State Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association, and the Volunteer Fire Police Association of the State of New York.

Elimination of Exemption from Seat Belt Law – Seek legislation to require operators and passengers of certain authorized fire and EMS emergency vehicles to be restrained by safety seat belts by eliminating the existing exemption for such vehicles engaged in emergency response.

EMS Billing – Amend Section 209-b of the General Municipal Law to allow volunteer fire organizations to bill for service. Currently, New York state is the only state in the country to prohibit volunteer fire departments and companies from receiving reimbursement for this valuable service. This archaic rule forces taxpayers to completely fund all EMS in these service areas.

Flammability Standards/Soft Furnishings – To prohibit the sale of upholstered furniture in New York that becomes fully involved in flames in less than 20 minutes from the time that it is exposed to a heat source and prohibit the use of materials that produce toxic gases that cause or are likely to cause cancer.
 
Amend Penal Code to Add Endangering the Welfare of Fire and Emergency Personnel – Make it a crime to illegally circumvent uniform code by making illegal conversions a charge of "Endangering the welfare of fire and emergency personnel." Landlords make conversions so they can make more money off of properties without obtaining proper permits. The conversions may not have proper egress and could create an extremely dangerous situation for firefighters.

Consolidation Amendments – Seek chapter amendments to the 2010 NY Government Reorganization and Citizen Empowerment Act, Article 17-a of the General Municipal Law, better known as the "Consolidation Dissolution Act," to allow public stakeholder planning to occur prior to dissolving a fire district or any other local government entity.

Expand Cancer Treatment – Provide a rebuttable presumption that several types of cancers are covered under VFBL and VAWBL.

Items to Be Supported

Support the Adoption of the 2015 IRC Building Code without Amendment – Actively support the adoption of the IRC Code by the New York State Code Council and oppose any actions by the Legislature to amend the IRC Code.

Extend the Volunteer Firefighters’ Lung Benefit – VFBL coverage for conditions of impairment of health caused by diseases of the lung will expire on June 30, 2015, if no action is taken. This proposal would extend this benefit for another five years.

Extend the Volunteer Firefighters’ Heart Benefit – VFBL coverage for conditions of impairment of health caused by diseases of the heart will expire on July 1, 2015, if no action is taken. This proposal would extend this benefit for another five years.

NYSAFC 2015 Legislative Agenda

• The adoption of the 2015 IRC Building Code without amendment.

• Amend the VTL to eliminate the exemption for the wearing of seat belts in fire apparatus.

• Article 30 revisions to provide for Municipal Certificate of Need.

• Authorize fire department EMS billing.

• Amendment to VTL to eliminate truck weight restrictions on fire apparatus.

• Increase the penalties for illegal occupancies in multi-family dwellings.

• Changes to the upholstered furniture safety standards to eliminate flame retardant chemicals.

• Provide for changes to VFBL/AWBL. Revisions (budget item) to increase the amount paid to permanent disabled firefighters and ambulance workers.