June 30, 2008
Volunteer firefighter incentive
Volunteer firefighters would be able to purchase health insurance at a reduced cost, under a measure approved by the Legislature.
Sponsors of the bill hope the incentive will bolster the dwindling ranks of volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance drivers, who also would eligible. Michael P. Wutz, president of the Fireman's Association of the State of NY (FASNY) writes:
Allowing potential and existing volunteers the opportunity to buy
the same insurance coverage as their municipal counterparts will
serve as a strong incentive for these men and women to join--and,
more importantly, stay with--their local fire departments. This in
turn will keep our communities stronger and safer.
The volunteers would save money because buying insurance through a municipal group plan is cheaper than the open market. However, the volunteers would bear 100 percent of the cost.
An earlier version of the bill would have allowed municipalities to assume the cost of the volunteers' premiums. But that provision was removed after the New York State Conference of Mayors warned it might transform volunteers into employees under federal labor law--with "disastrous" financial consequences.
NYCOM supports the amended bill.
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