FASNY LAYS OUT LEGISLATIVE AGENDA TO BUILD ON TAX CREDIT VICTORY AND GROW THE VOLUNTEER FIRE SERVICE
Volunteer Firefighters Name Their 2027-2028 Priorities
The Firefighters Association of the State of New York (FASNY) today released its FY 2027-2028 Legislative Scorecard, which lists the legislation FASNY will advocate for this coming session as it works to educate the Governor and the Legislature on the needs of the volunteer fire service. The scorecard builds on a major win for volunteers this fall. On October 17, Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation increasing the volunteer firefighter and ambulance worker income tax credit, the first increase in nearly 20 years. The Governor’s office worked closely with FASNY to make the increase a reality. FASNY’s 2027-2028 agenda picks up from there, with measures to help more New Yorkers join their local fire departments and stay in service.
Volunteer firefighters protect more than 80 percent of New York State, and they serve their neighbors and communities without a salary. That saves taxpayers billions of dollars. A 2023 FASNY analysis found that a statewide paid fire service would cost $4.7 billion a year, and local property taxpayers would carry most of that cost. Every bill on the scorecard helps recruit new volunteers or keep current volunteers on the job. FASNY sees each one as an investment that protects the savings volunteers create.
Every volunteer department would welcome additional volunteers. Potential and current volunteers tell FASNY that lack of time and financial responsibilities are what keep people from signing up or staying active.
“We are extremely grateful to Governor Hochul, her staff, and the Legislature for delivering the expanded tax credit for volunteers this year. Now is the time to build on that progress,” said Donald Farrell, FASNY President. “Every bill on this scorecard makes it easier for a young parent, a nurse, a student, or a retiree to say yes when the local firehouse calls. Helping volunteers is an investment, and taxpayers get the return every time one of them answers a call.”
The scorecard’s priority bills fall into three groups.
Enable more New Yorkers to serve
- Give eligible volunteer fire and EMS members a childcare tax credit (new proposal).
- Let volunteers collect both the state Volunteer Fire/EMS Income Tax Credit and any local property tax exemption they qualify for (S.6019, Sen. Baskin / A.288, Assemblymember Barrett).
- Let more local entities pay the volunteer training stipend (new proposal).
- Allow optional pay and benefits for volunteer firefighters and create the Volunteer Fire Service Nominal Compensation Assistance Fund (S.10597, Sen. Martinez / A.10630-A, Assemblymember Solages).
Support volunteers who get hurt or sick
- Raise benefits under the Volunteer Firefighters’ Benefit Law (VFBL) to match workers’ compensation (S.5432, Sen. Skoufis / A.6410, Assemblymember McMahon).
- Treat Parkinson’s disease as a presumed line-of-duty illness under the VFBL (S.8376, Sen. Bynoe / A.9655, Assemblymember Solages).
- Start a cancer screening pilot program for New York firefighters (new proposal).
- Expand enhanced cancer disability benefits for eligible exterior firefighters (new proposal).
- Create a peer support program for first responders through the First Responder Peer Support Program Act (S.5407-A, Sen. Harckham / A.7285-A, Assemblymember Burdick).
Keep communities and firefighters safe
- Set targeted penalties for unsafe buildings that put occupants and first responders at risk (S.6203, Sen. Skoufis / A.8592, Assemblymember Dinowitz).
- Keep pushing for lithium-ion battery safety and training rules.
Bill numbers are from the 2025-2026 session.
“The increased tax credit was the first piece of FASNY’s 14-point recruitment and retention plan to become law. This scorecard goes after the rest,” said John D’Alessandro, FASNY Secretary. “People tell us lack of time and money are the major obstacles stopping them from volunteering. Childcare assistance, fair benefits when a volunteer gets hurt or sick, and the right to keep both the state credit and a local property tax exemption all lower that barrier. Every one of these bills costs far less than the alternative, which is local taxpayers paying for a full-time fire department.”
FASNY will share the scorecard with lawmakers before the 2027 session starts and track where each member stands on the priority bills.
About FASNY
The Firefighters Association of the State of New York (FASNY) represents the more than 80,000 volunteer firefighters and EMS workers who protect more than 80% of New York State geographically. Founded in 1872, FASNY advocates for the training, resources, and support the volunteer fire service needs to keep New York communities safe. Learn more at FASNY.com.
