Assemblyman Dennis Gabryzak, D-Cheektowaga, and State Sen. Mark Grisanti, R-North Buffalo, announced Monday that Gov. Andrew Cuomo has signed into law legislation that would require cities and employers of firefighters to provide emergency escape systems for all firefighters.
Under bills passed in both houses (A10677, S 7677), cities or other employers of fighterfighters are required to identity if a firefighter is at risk for becoming trapped at higher elevations, and if the firefighters could need to be prepared to escape a fire. This gives the firefighter community the ability to better evaluate its escape routes and plan accordingly to different situations that may be potentially hazardous due to height and differing equipment.
“It’s important that our firefighters are prepared with the necessary equipment so they can respond to emergency situations safely and effectively,” Gabryszak said. “This legislation will help prevent future tragedies from occurring and I applaud Governor Cuomo and my colleagues in the Assembly and Senate for supporting this bill.”
“Firefighters put their lives on the line every time they enter a burning building. We need to ensure that they have all modern tools possible to both fight the fire and remove all persons safely from the structure,” Grisanti said. “I am pleased that the legislature passed the bills and the governor has made it a new law. Hopefully, all local entities will move quickly to access the escape equipment provided to their crews and make any necessary adjustments.”
“We appreciate the efforts of Governor Cuomo, the Assembly, and the Senate in moving this important legislation through,” said Chief Richard A. Messina, president of the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs. “The support of Assemblyman Dennis Gabryszak and Senator Mark Grisanti in working for the passage of reasonable legislation that protects all of the fire service was essential, and we are grateful for their efforts.”
