On February 20, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Ranger Steven Jackson talked to Boy Scouts about fire safety at the Firefighters Association of the State of New York (FASNY) Museum of Firefighting in Hudson. Ranger Jackson demonstrated how to start and put out a cooking fire and how to use a camp stove, as well as explained the role humans play in wildfires and wildfire prevention. Thanks to lessons from Ranger Jackson and FASNY staff, 60 Boy Scouts earned their fire safety merit badges. Photo courtesy of NYDEC
Food delivered to those who need it
Barrett supports Rescuing EMS Campaign
ALBANY—Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-106th) stood with the New York Association of Counties (NYSAC) and legislative colleagues in support of NYSAC’s Rescuing EMS Campaign. This package of bills would provide much-needed support for first responders including firefighters and Emergency Medical Service (EMS) workers across New York State.
Assemblymember Didi Barrett and Dutchess County Emergency Response Commissioner Dana Smith. Photo contributed
“Fire Departments and EMS providers across the state are facing significant hardship, with recruitment challenges, aging membership and insufficient financial support. In rural districts like mine, most of our heroic first responders are volunteers who serve their communities with pride. NYSAC’s Rescuing EMS campaign will provide direct support to our emergency services personnel. I am proud that my legislation (A.6274) to allow volunteer firefighters and EMS workers to collect both the New York State Volunteer Firefighters’ and Ambulance Workers’ Income Tax Credit and a local property tax exemption is included in this legislative package. I thank NYSAC and my colleagues in the Legislature for their advocacy and look forward to passing these important bills this session,” Assemblymember Barrett said in a press release.
The Rescuing EMS Campaign includes six bills, including legislation to allow volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers to collect the NYS Volunteer Firefighters’ and Ambulance Workers’ Income Tax Credit in addition to a local property tax exemption. Other bills would deem EMS to be an essential service; remove EMS services from the property tax cap; authorize EMS providers to be reimbursed for treating patients without transporting them to a hospital; increase the Volunteer Firefighters’ and Ambulance Workers’ Tax Credit from $200 to $800, and increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for EMS providers.
