FASNY APPLAUDS GOVERNOR CUOMO FOR SIGNING VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER/EMT EXCUSED LEAVE BILL

The Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY) today issued the following statement after Governor Cuomo signed a bill that protects the jobs of volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel in times of declared disasters, such as hurricanes and wildfires. The bill, S07111-B, sponsored by Senator Mark Grisanti (R – Buffalo), and A09849A, sponsored by Assembly Member Fred Thiele (I – Suffolk) will ensure that volunteer firefighters and EMS responders will not lose their paying jobs simply because they were late or missed work while performing volunteer duties during a declared emergency (as declared by the Governor, City, Town, Village or County Executives).

“This law ensures that volunteer firefighters and EMTs who are called to assist in times of a major emergency such as hurricanes, floods and wildfires have a job to go home to,” said FASNY President Robert McConville. “We want to thank Governor Cuomo for recognizing the need to allow our first responders to operate without worrying if their ‘day job’ is safe when called to help their fellow New Yorkers in a declared disaster; as well as Senator Grisanti and Assemblyman Thiele for their leadership on this bill that will help protect the men and women who protect this state.”