SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y. — A new law protects volunteer firefighters and EMTs from losing their jobs for missing work while responding to disasters and crises.
The Suffolk Times reported that Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the bill into law Sept. 23. The new law provides excused leave for volunteer firefighters and medics who are called away to help during a state of emergency.
Last December, Gov. Cuomo initially vetoed the law saying the leave would force staffing shortages and a financial burden on private and public employers.
The responders will be granted unpaid excused leave for the duration of their service. Employers can request that volunteers provide them with documentation showing they are on the department roster. The protection can be withdrawn if the employer can prove their absence would cause “undue hardship” to the business, according to the report.
Cutchogue Fire Chief Antone Berkoski said some are “reluctant” to join the department.
“They want to help the community but they’re afraid to get fired or they don’t want to have to take the days [off],” he said. This new legislation may make it easier to recruit new members, he said.
Joseph Raynor, Riverhead Fire Chief, called the bill “good legislation.”
“Why should [your job] be held in jeopardy when you’re helping out your community?” he asked. “Riverhead businesses are very good about it. But when you have to run across the businessman who’s not friendly to the fire services, it’s good to protect the [firefighters].”
Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance assistant chief Lisa Corwin said she hadn’t heard about the new law.
“We as volunteers want to be able to help when there is a disaster, and the last thing we should have to think about is how our job is going to be affected by volunteering to help others,” she said. “Fortunately, most of the members of RVAC are very dedicated, and whenever there is a crisis or threat of a big storm, we seem to have plenty of members to help the public, so this law will definitely help everyone.”