Senate Bill S178

                                
 
BILL NUMBER: S178

SPONSOR: HELMING
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to direct the office of fire prevention and control to conduct a
study which evaluates the minimum recommended qualifications to becoming
a volunteer firefighter

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

The Office of Fire Prevention and Control (OFPC) shall conduct a study
that examines and evaluates the minimum qualifications recommended for
volunteer firefighters. In addition, this legislation would require
OFPC, within 12 months, to report on the findings of this study to the
Governor, Temporary President of the Senate and the Speaker of the
Assembly.

 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

Sections 1: Directs OFPC to conduct a study, which evaluates the minimum
              

qualifications recommended to becoming a volunteer firefighter

Section 2: Directs OFPC, within 12 months, to report the findings of
such study to the Governor, Temporary President of the Senate and the
Speaker of the Assembly.

Section 3: Provides an immediate effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Recently, there has been a growing shortage of volunteer firefighters
across the entire country and specifically, New York State. This can be
attributed, among various factors, to a change in the economy, which
promotes two-income households and working multiple jobs. Because of
this shift, many people do not have the time to dedicate to becoming a
volunteer firefighter. Those who do decide to become volunteer fire-
fighters and undergo training, oftentimes are required to dedicate
upwards of 20 hours a week on top of their regular employment to
complete this training.

In addition to the additional hours, many firefighters who undergo these
trainings have to travel long distances because of a lack of training
courses close to home. This adds time onto the commitment of completing
the qualifications and serving the community.  Federal regulations apply
to all fire departments in New York State and require that members be
provided with training and education commensurate with the duties and
functions that such members are expected to perform. OFPC and the
Department of Labor's Public Employees Safety and Health Bureau (PESH)
and fire service organizations have developed a recommended set of "Best
Practices" for use by fire departments to assist fire departments in
complying with the Federal regulations. The goal of this study is for
OFPC to evaluate these minimum qualifications, or best practices, recom-
mended to become a volunteer firefighter while considering the shortage
that is having an effect on communities across the state.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.