ex-commish

May he rest in peace.

I have a gross distrust for most politicians and feel that the timing was right passing this bill and others being our state legislators are not exactly in good graces with the average NYS resident thanks to the recent budget mess. They know they are in trouble and are reaching for straws to stay in office and they know the majority of the voters are volunteers. I am not opposed to this bill but I don't feel it will be as effective as it is being portrayed but perhaps I am wrong and at this point we will have to wait and see as time goes on if the bill had an impact.

This legislation may have some benefit but my concern is what if a business owner decides to fire an employee for being late from a fire and decides to challenge this law. The employee now is out of work and now has to fight to get his/her job back which could take time and money. Also, once again government is dictating to the private sector what to do. And as asked in a previous post will someone hire you if you are a volunteer? And I am surprised that essential jobs (dpw, ems, fire, police, corrections, medical) were exempt ( or were they?) I don't believe some of the comments made were anti-volunteer rather objectionable points of view. Remember it is election year for state government. They narrowly passed a state budget yesterday that saved our state from shutting down which I do not believe would of happened and was perfect timing if you ask me.

May he rest in peace

Tragic...may he rest in peace.

Badbox the problem is the leadership. They are afraid to make things mandatory because they either wont get re-elected or they dont want to lose people. Some are more worried about getting that big shiny trophy at the next parade to add to the dust covered ones allready in the case.

Your frustration is shared by many. It is funny how this government can piss away billions to banks, corporations, and other countries in need but when it comes to taking care of those who are willing to do what most people can't or won't do the well always seems to be dry. All I can say is rememeber those at election time.

May she rest in peace.

Congrats!!!!!

They seem to be able to afford healthcare for the millions of illegal immigrants in this country. Government at it's best.

While I respect your opinion you are totally wrong. You can work hard all you want but if government or private business can get blood out of you they will hence why we have unions who fight constantly to see that laws are passed to protect workers.

I disagree on leaving out instructor level classes mainly because volunteer depts do not have MTO's and rely on the company officers to conduct the training. Even depts with training officers or supplemental instructors should not be without company officers who lack formal training on how to conduct training for the members.

The present system is a joke. I have seen it recently in action at it's worst myself. Untill those who can make the changes grow a set and demand better the current process will continue and we will continue to "promote" based on popularity, allright guy, yes men, etc.

Quote in Feiners letter: "The reason why salaries of police and firefighters are so high is because the way the arbitration panel comes to a decision is based on comparing like areas. Even in these economic difficult times when so many people are out of work, arbitration panels are awarding salary increases of over 4% a year." As a sitting member of a contract negoiating committee I do not recall reading any recent award given by an arbitrator that was over 4%. If anything 4% has been the highest with 3.5 % being the norm.

I totally agree with you and believe that if a dept mandates you wear a uniform than they should pay for it. I thought 2% money spending had restrictions.

Is that legal? Who gets your 2% money?

How about we do away with the trophies and judging and just march and wave to the kids. Who cares if my firetruck is cleaner than yours?

Yet they want to lay off cops.

They appear to be a village run dept so I would have to think they would have to comply to all applicable laws and standards

May he rest in peace.

What is the penalty for non-compliance? What if a member was injured or killed and it was proven that the lack of compliance ( training, equipment, identification of hazards)was the reason? Can those in charge meet with the same fate as the chief upstate?

May he rest in peace.

May the officer rest in peace and those injured recover.

So if a firefighter, volunteer or paid is killed doing maintanence, during training, responding or returning from a call, etc it will not count as a LODD by this committee?

Best wishes for a speedy recovery.