What's happening
This bill allows East Hampton to designate its Volunteer Ocean Rescue and Auxiliary Squad as an official emergency rescue squad, permitting members to use green lights on vehicles during emergencies.
Why it matters
Recognizes and formalizes the East Hampton Volunteer Ocean Rescue and Auxiliary Squad as an official emergency response unit, potentially increasing its legitimacy and access to municipal support and funding.
Authorizes squad members to use green emergency lights on their personal vehicles, which can improve response times to emergencies by allowing greater visibility and right-of-way recognition from other drivers.
Aligns the squad’s status with that of other emergency and first aid squads under New York law, enabling better integration into the local emergency response system and enhancing coordination during critical incidents.
May help recruit and retain volunteers by granting them the same legal privileges and recognition as other emergency personnel, demonstrating community and governmental support for their role.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Recognize Ocean Rescue Squad
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Substituted by A7493
- Ordered to third reading cal.684
- Reported and committed to rules
- Referred to local government
- Referred to local government
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.
Recognize Ocean Rescue Squad
Signed by Governor · Sponsor Fred Thiele
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
S. 5571 A. 7493
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
SENATE - ASSEMBLY
May 7, 2019
IN SENATE -- Introduced by Sen. LAVALLE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Local Government
IN ASSEMBLY -- Introduced by M. of A. THIELE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Local Governments
AN ACT in relation to the designation of the East Hampton Volunteer Ocean Rescue and Auxiliary Squad as an emergency rescue and first aid squad pursuant to the general municipal law and permitting members to display green lights on motor vehicles when engaged in emergency operation pursuant to the vehicle and traffic law
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the town of East Hampton is hereby authorized to designate the East Hampton Volunteer Ocean Rescue and Auxiliary Squad as an emergency rescue and first aid squad, by resolution of the town board, under section 209-b of the general municipal law.
§ 2. Where the town board of the town of East Hampton has made the designation authorized by section one of this act, members of the East Hampton Volunteer Ocean Rescue and Auxiliary Squad may display a green light on motor vehicles pursuant to paragraph 5 of subdivision 41 of section 375 of the vehicle and traffic law.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11133-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act in relation to the designation of the East Hampton Volunteer Ocean Rescue and Auxiliary Squad as an emergency rescue and first aid squad pursuant to the general municipal law and permitting members to display green lights on motor vehicles when engaged in emergency operation pursuant to the vehicle and traffic law
Purpose
Designates the East Hampton Volunteer Ocean Rescue and Auxiliary Squad (EHVOR) as an emergency rescue and first aid squad under Section 209-b of the General Municipal Law.
Summary of provisions
Section 1. Authorizes the Town of East Hampton to designate EHVOR, by the adoption of a resolution by the Town Board, as an emergency rescue and first aid squad under Section 209-b of the General Municipal Law
Section 2. Once officially designated an emergency rescue and first aid squad under Section 209-b of the General Municipal Law by the East Hamp- ton Town Board, members of EHVOR may display a green light on motor vehicles pursuant to paragraph 5 of subdivision 41 of Section 375 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law.
Section 3. Immediate effective date.
Justification
EHVOR has been responding to water emergencies, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, since 2003. Their mission is to make expedient and safe water rescues year-round at all unprotected beaches in East Hampton Town.
Over the last few years, the leadership of EHVOR has worked very hard to organize and structure the squad in a manner similar to Fire Depart- ments. They have created and adopted Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Bylaws, as well as an updated Memo of Understanding with the Town of East Hampton and the Village of East Hampton. The Chain of Command consists of Chiefs, Captains and Lieutenants with three squads out of Montauk, Amagansett and East Hampton Village. Each of these squads are set up with Jet ski response vehicles for year-round service and all of the Suffolk County Volunteer Lifeguards that serve as members of EHVOR are certified in (NIMS) National Incident Management System so that they are able to respond to multi-agency calls like the plane crash in Quogue last year where members responded to and supported operations hand-in-hand with the Coast Guard and other emergency organizations. They train year-round for all types of water emergencies and have start- ed to expand training/expertise to other advance water rescues like swift water rescues for flood situations.
This legislation is a special act for the State of New York to recognize the critical life-saving functions and services carried out by EHVOR by authorizing the Town of East Hampton to designate EHVOR, by the adoption of a resolution by the Town Board, as an emergency rescue and first aid squad under Section 209-b of the General Municipal Law. Once designated, one green light may be affixed to any motor vehicle owned by an EHVOR member, a family member or a business enterprise in which such member has a proprietary interest or by which is employed, provided such member has been authorized in writing to so affix a green light by the chief officer. Such green light may only be displayed when the member is engaged in an emergency operation.
Legislative history
2019: New Legislation
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
Immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.