2024 New York State Fire Service Alliance Legislative Agenda

Issues of United Concern
The Fire Service Alliance, consisting of the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs, Association of Fire Districts of the State of New York, County Fire Coordinators’ Association of the State of New York, Firefighters Association of the State of New York, New York State Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association, and Volunteer Fire Police Association of the State of New York, gathered in Troy, N.Y. on December 2, 2023, to develop the following priorities from each association’s respective legislative agendas. The identified priorities are to be advocated for through mutual efforts.

Download the 2024 Issues of United Concern Agenda (PDF)

2024 New York State Fire Service Alliance Legislative Agenda

BUDGET ITEMS
Projected deficits will be anticipated and kept in mind as the governor and the Legislature develop the FY2025 State Budget.

• Improving tax benefits available to volunteer firefighters.
  • Increasing the state income tax credit, which has been stagnant at $200 since 2006.
  • Amending 2006 language to remove an arbitrary prohibition on collection of both the state income tax credit and any local real property tax exemptions.
• Combatting fire deaths by providing a sales tax exemption on home life safety products.
• Provision of cost relief to underwriters related to administration of cancer coverage.

• Adoption of the 2024 Uniform Codes, including provisions for residential sprinklers.
• Lithium-ion batteries: ensure responsible sale and use and adequate training for emergency responders.
• Continued emphasis on illegal conversions.

• Ensuring maximum participation in Cost Recovery, continue education campaign around, and work to justify an elimination or extension of the 2025 “sunset clause” included in original passage. Unfortunately, at present, this sunset clause is restricting participation in the program.
• Designating EMS as an essential service, which would require municipalities to provide it to their residents in a reliable manner and would create a minimum standard of care through regional and state EMS councils.

• Striving for maximum participation in DHSES training stipend program to encourage its renewal.
• Allow “reimbursements for reasonable expenses incurred” at the discretion of authorities having jurisdiction.
• Achieve parity for VFBL – rightfully raising the benefit to the same level as workers’ compensation.
• Development and support of “peer to peer” counseling programs for first responders.