County Executive Sends Letter Supporting Fire Safety Bills

County Executive Ed Day sent a letter Tuesday to all of the current New York State representatives for Rockland County regarding the package of fire safety bills drafted in 2024.

Attention Rockland State Representatives:

I am heartened to see State Senator Pete Harckham, Assemblymember Patrick Carroll, & Assemblymember Chris Eachus bringing attention to increasing code violation penalties and staff to enforce the Uniform Fire

Prevention & Building Code (See Attached Letter).

As you recall back in early 2024, my administration along with the Rockland County Firefighters Association and

New York State Senators Bill Weber & Pete Harckham, New York State Assemblymembers Ken Zebrowski (former), John McGowan (former), Karl Brabenec, & Chris Eachus announced a bipartisan effort to bolster fire safety with a package of bills that would without question help save lives:

1. State assistance to local governments for the enforcement of fire prevention and building codes using monies paid into the code enforcement account.

2. Establishes the crimes of reckless endangerment of an emergency service person in the first and second degrees (Felony).

3. Authorizes municipalities in the county of Rockland to add unpaid housing code violation penalties, costs and fines to such municipalities’ annual tax levy.

4. Increased benefits for volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers.

5. Enhanced 911 – Communication enhancements by increasing state grant and reimbursements to $100 million for development, consolidation, or operation of public safety communications systems.

6. Secretary of State may investigate & conduct hearings into alleged failure of local code enforcement for a municipality not providing administration & enforcement of the Uniform Fire Prevention & Building

Code that complies with minimum standards. (codifies what SOS did in Spring Valley)

7. Minimum staffing levels for agencies enforcing the minimum standards under the New York State

Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code Act.

8. Civil Penalties resulting from a violation related to the condition or use of real property may be applied against another property in rem.

9. Aggravated Offenses – Property owner can be charged with a Class D Felony if a person suffers serious physical injury as a result of a violation of a provision of the uniform fire prevention and building code.

At that press conference, Rockland County’s New York State lawmakers underscored their commitment to work collaboratively to get several bills passed in Albany that prioritize fire safety in our communities.

It is incumbent upon every one of us to remain vigilant and while I know this year’s legislative session has concluded I continue to encourage all of our current Rockland state representatives to move these bills through the state legislature into law.

Sincerely,

Edwin J. Day

Rockland County Executive

CC: Hon. Chris Eachus, NYS Assembly District 99

Hon. William Weber, NYS Senate District 38

Hon. Aron B. Wieder, NYS Assembly District 97

Hon. Pete Harckham, NYS Senate District 40

Hon. Karl Brabenec, NYS Assembly District 98

Hon. Patrick J. Carroll, NYS Assembly District 96