Relating to the creation of a system of uniform identification cards for firefighters and emergency services personnel by the state director of homeland security

Summary of provisions

This bill would amend the executive law to estab- lish a centralized database to coordinate the creation, distribution, and monitoring of uniform identification cards. This would provide mini- mum standards that the uniform identification cards must meet, and grant the Director of the Office of Homeland Security with the discretion to promulgate rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this legislation.

Justification

Currently, there is no system in place that would allow law enforcement and emergency management officials to analyze and moni- tor the levels of critical human resources. Also, there is no uniform identification system for firefighters or emergency medical services personnel. This not only poses a security risk, but, also threatens the state's and localities' ability to respond to emergencies efficiently and effectively.

The necessity of a uniform identification card and a statewide database for all emergency services personnel stems from the desire to make New York safer and more equipped to mitigate the effects of a natural or man-made disaster.

In 2004 the Federal Government issued Homeland Sea* Directive number 12 which outlined the necessity to develop and implement policy that would create a common or uniform identification standard for Federal employees and contractors. This directive spawned a new Federal Information Proc- essing Standard (FIPS) number 201; which, specifies the architecture and technical requirements for a common identification standard for Federal employees and contractors.

The overall goal is to achieve appropriate security assurance for multi- ple applications by efficiently verifying the claimed identity of indi- viduals seeking physical access to Federally controlled government, facilities and electronic access to government information systems. According to a Department of Homeland Security Information Bulletin, terrorist groups view the theft or other illegal acquisition of official identification, uniforms, or vehicles as an effective way to increase access and decrease scrutiny in furtherance of their planning and oper- ations.

The utilization of police or military uniforms to mask identities and achieve close access to targets without arousing suspicion, is a serious security hazard. Terrorists and organized crime figures across the globe have stolen emergency medical services uniforms to facilitate the execution of their attacks on key facilities.

A 2006 report by the Heritage Foundation and George Washington Universi- ty Homeland Security Policy Institute Task Force, found that the lack of a uniform identification system hobbles interagency coordination. There are a number of professions and capacities that people serve in that are critical to an effective response to an emergency; because of this, the verification of identification, affiliation, and expertise cannot be accomplished rapidly during a crisis unless there is some uniform iden- tification system.

This legislation will allow emergency planners and law enforcement offi- cials to better understand the specific human resources on hand at any given time and in any region so that we can fortify our plans and better manage our assets. This seamless identification for all, police and peace officers will be utilized in many situations, such as: when offi- cers are deployed to areas outside of their normal geographical area for national security and special events; during mutual assistance across counties, natural and man-made disasters, and for multi-agency coordi- nation centers.

Fiscal implications

There are roughly 94,500 volunteer firefighters; 17,800 paid on-call and career firefighters; 14,000 fire police; and more than 24,000 emergency medical service personnel in New York State. All together, there are approximately 150,300 emergency services person- nel.

It is estimated that each card, which will be similar in form and func- tion to the HID 'Class card currently issued by the Office of General Services, would cost about $6.50; and, to provide a card for every emer- gency services personnel would cost the state a total of $976,950, much of which could be offset through Federal funding sources.

Prior legislative history

2008 - S.3642 - Referred to the Standing Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs.

Effective date

This act would take effect one year after it shall have become a law.