By New York State Senator Joseph A. Griffo, 53rd Senate District
We recently observed National Fire Prevention Week. During this week, firefighters visited schools and communities to talk about the importance of fire safety.
But, for many departments, it is becoming more challenging serving others because of problems with recruiting and retaining members and obtaining necessary equipment.
That’s why I am again pushing for legislation I have introduced that would help our first responders.
Called the “Public Safety Investment Act,” my bill (S.6786A) would provide police and fire departments with access to $300 million in grant funding over a three-year period to help with recruitment and retention efforts and purchasing equipment. The bill would allocate $100 million each year that would be split evenly ($50 million) between police and fire departments.
A companion bill has been introduced by Assemblyman Michael Cashman.
Additionally, I am calling on the legislative majorities to send legislation that would help first responders and emergency personnel across the state to the governor and for the bill to be signed into law.
The bill (S.6233-A/A.6790-A), which I cosponsored, increases the volunteer firefighters’ and ambulance workers’ personal income tax credit from $200 to $800 for eligible individuals and from $400 to $1600 for eligible married joint filers. It was passed towards the end of this year’s legislative session but has not been sent yet by the legislative majorities to the governor for her consideration.
Earlier this year, representatives for the Association of Fire Districts of the State of New York noted that the number of volunteers has fallen from 110,000 to 70,000 in a few years.
Our volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers answered the call to serve their communities and step up to help others without hesitation. I am hopeful that the governor recognizes and appreciates all that these men and women do on our behalf and will expeditiously sign this bill.
Raising the tax credit is one small way we can say thank you to our first responders while also helping to bolster volunteer ranks for fire departments across the state.
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