What's happening
This bill allows volunteer fire and ambulance organizations to access the Empire Knowledgebank training program and related grant funding.
Why it matters
Expands access to professional training. By allowing volunteer fire and ambulance organizations to use the Empire Knowledgebank, the bill gives these critical yet often under-resourced groups the same access to state-sponsored online training and educational tools as other public organizations, potentially improving their skills and readiness.
Supports recruitment and retention efforts. Making grant funding available for participation in these training programs signals a broader investment in strengthening the volunteer emergency services workforce, which often struggles to attract and keep members, especially in rural or underserved areas.
Levels the playing field for volunteers. The bill helps bridge the gap between volunteer and professional emergency services by providing volunteers with opportunities for standardized, high-quality education, which could translate into better service for communities and increased safety for both responders and the public.
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Who cares
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Expand Training for Volunteers
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
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History
- Referred to governmental operations
- Referred to governmental operations
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Train Volunteer Fire and EMS
In Senate Committee · Energy And Telecommunications · Sponsor Joseph A. Griffo
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3403
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 27, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. ENGLEBRIGHT -- read once and referred to the Committee on Governmental Operations
AN ACT to amend the state technology law and the state finance law, in relation to training and education courses for certain organizations
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 103 of the state technology law is amended by adding a new subdivision 22 to read as follows:
22. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any fire district or volunteer fire company or volunteer ambulance company or statewide organization that represents the interests of the volunteer fire service and/or the volunteer ambulance service shall be eligible to participate in the program commonly referred to or known as the Empire Knowledgebank or any such successor program offered by the office. The director is authorized and directed to adopt, amend or rescind any rules and/or regulations necessary or convenient to implement the provisions of this section. For purposes of this section, the term "volunteer fire company" shall mean a fire company as such term is defined in section one hundred of the general municipal law and the term "volunteer ambulance company" shall mean a voluntary ambulance service as such term is defined in section one hundred of the general municipal law.
§ 2. Subdivision 3 of section 99-q of the state finance law, as added by chapter 490 of the laws of 2009, is amended to read as follows:
3. Moneys in such fund shall be expended only to provide grants to volunteer firefighting and volunteer emergency services organizations and to statewide organizations which represent the interests of volunteer firefighters and/or volunteer emergency services providers for the purpose of encouraging the recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters and volunteer emergency services personnel. Such purposes may include, but need not be limited to: participation in training and education courses offered pursuant to subdivision twenty-two of section
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03886-01-7
A. 3403 2
one hundred three of the state technology law, development and implementation of marketing plans, publicity campaigns, and community awareness initiatives; design, production and distribution of promotional merchandise, brochures and other materials; sponsorship of local community events designed to help recruit volunteers; newspaper publications, promotional mailings and other advertising designed to help recruit volunteers.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law, provided however that, effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made on or before such effective date.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
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