BUCHANAN- Governor Hochul has signed into law a bill to help recruit and retain firefighters at the Buchanan Engine Company No. 1 by exempting the residency requirement for volunteers. The bill, sponsored by State Senator Peter Harckham (D, Westchester) and Assemblymember Dana Levenberg (D, Westchester), takes effect immediately.
“To properly safeguard our residents and businesses, recruiting and retaining volunteer firefighters in our local fire departments must be addressed,” said Harckham. “This new law will allow Buchanan Engine Company No. 1 to increase the number of people who can serve in the department.”
“A desire to serve is the most important qualification a volunteer firefighter can have,” said Levenberg. “This legislation allows many more people with such a desire to serve the Village of Buchanan.”
New York’s volunteer fire departments are struggling to fill their ranks, as older members retire and new volunteers become scarce. Under current law, the non-resident membership of any volunteer fire department statewide cannot exceed 45 percent and several other departments statewide have received similar exemptions through enacted legislation.
Buchanan Engine Company No.1 Chief Robert Outhouse said, “The Buchanan Engine Company truly appreciates the work of its two state legislators in modifying the residential requirement for our membership. We need to continue to fill our ranks with volunteer firefighters and officers, and the best way to do that is to allow those who are qualified to join and make a commitment to protecting our community.”
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