AFDSNY AND NYSAFC REPRESENTAIVES MEET WITH NYS SENATOR MAYER
Topics that were discussed during the meeting:
EMS AS AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE: Lifesaving pre-hospital care is not recognized as an essential service under New York State municipal law. Unlike fire and police services, municipalities in New York State are not required to provide EMS. As a result, EMS services are delivered through a patchwork system of public (both paid and volunteer) and private providers.
EMS providers want to be viewed as essential and they would like to see that every municipality acknowledges its obligation to provide this kind of public safety coverage to everyone in their community.
Last year, the New York State Senate unanimously passed legislation sponsored by Senator Shelley B. Mayer to designate emergency medical services (EMS) as an essential service. However, the NYS Assembly did not vote on the measure in 2024, as it remained in the Assembly Local Government Committee at the close of the session. The Assembly bill was sponsored by NYS Assemblyperson Steve Otis.
“Mayer’s legislation, S.4020C, provides municipalities with the flexibility to ensure provision of emergency medical services; establishes statewide, regional, and county coordination; and provides for enhanced training and credentialing of practitioners, agencies, and educational institutions in the EMS field.
Under the existing framework for the provision of EMS in New York, private, public, and not-for-profit providers serve needs across the state in a scattered, patchwork approach. This leaves many New Yonkers uncertain whether an EMS provider will be available in their time of need. Creating greater flexibility for municipalities to facilitate EMS to meet unique local challenges represents a critical next step in the provision of these much-needed services.”
This bills will need to be reintroduced in both houses of the New York State Legislature in 2025.
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MAKING PERMANENT EMS COST RECOVERY: This law, in effect for four years, allows fire departments—previously prohibited from billing for ambulance services—to begin doing so. The NYS Emergency Services organizations are advocating for the introduction and passage of legislation to make this law permanent. The current legislation includes a sunset clause that mandates the New York State Legislature to review and reauthorize the law every four years; however, its continuation is not guaranteed. This built-in uncertainty, contractual obligations, and effort has made some EMS agencies hesitant to implement billing.
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BUILDING CODES: The NYS Fire Service Organizations are advocating for the adoption of the 2024 International Code Council Building Codes, including the requirement for residential sprinklers in NEW CONSTRUCTION one- and two-family homes.
New York State (NYS) does not always lead the country in fire deaths, but it has led in the past. In 2024 (116 deaths), New York was third in the nation for home fire deaths. In 2022 (144 deaths), New York was third in the nation for home fire fatalities. From 2017 to 2019, New York led the nation in home fire fatalities.
The New York State Association of Realors and Home builders Association are opposed to sprinkler requirements and believes the installation of automatic fire sprinkler systems in new homes under three stories should remain the decision of the owner due to the significant cost increase associated with the installation, materials, maintenance, and alarm system required.
We encourage members of emergency service organizations to engage with their legislative representatives on these and other important issues of shared concern throughout the 2025 Albany legislative session.
Pictured Left to right: George June, Chairperson of AFDSNY EMS committee, NYS Senator Shelly B. Mayer and Richard Lyman, 1VP, NYSAFC.
