New York Assembly Bill A08224

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/5/25
• Refer: 5/5/25

Caption

Allows political subdivisions which contract to receive fire protection services from a special fire company or department to jointly establish a service award program with political subdivisions which contract to receive ambulance services from the same special fire company or department.

Impact

The proposed legislation has implications for how municipal entities can structure and fund awards programs for volunteer firefighters. By fostering coordination among different political subdivisions, the bill encourages them to unify their efforts in rewarding firefighters, potentially enhancing recruitment and retention in volunteer fire service. The specifics of the program would require substantial consensus, as it necessitates a 60% approval from governing boards as well as a separate vote from eligible voters in each subscribing subdivision to jointly sponsor any service award program.

Summary

Bill A08224 seeks to amend the General Municipal Law in New York State to allow political subdivisions that contract for fire protection services from a special fire company or department to jointly establish a service award program. This initiative aims to promote collaborative recognition and rewards for volunteer firefighters who serve in these special fire companies, thereby acknowledging their contributions to emergency services within their communities. The bill emphasizes the importance of shared service frameworks for enhancing the operational effectiveness of emergency response units.

Contention

While the bill aims to address the need for increased support for volunteer firefighters, there may be concerns about funding and governance from the political subdivisions involved. Opponents might argue that the requirement for broad consensus could lead to complications or delays in establishing such programs. Additionally, there could be discussions about the impact on local autonomy in decision-making regarding how best to reward and retain volunteer firefighters, making it a potentially contentious topic in legislative hearings.