A new study has determined that New York”™s volunteer firefighters not only respond to the majority of the state”™s emergency calls, but also save taxpayers $4.7 billion annually through their services.
The study, released by the Firefighters Association of the State of New York (FASNY), noted there were 80,000 volunteer firefighters in the state ”“ 93.2% of the state”™s 1,640 fire departments are either all-volunteer or mostly volunteer ”“ and their presence helps to keep local taxes and expenses low through the elimination of salaries, benefits and related costs tied to full-time professional firefighters. The report noted that paid departments would require a significant increase in property taxes to cover the costs absent with volunteer brigades.
“This report underscores the importance and value of the volunteer firefighting service to New York,” said FASNY President Edward Tase, Jr. “Without the dedication and service of the brave volunteers throughout the state, local taxpayers would face a significant financial burden to fund the type of emergency response they are accustomed to. Our volunteer firefighters train extensively to be able to respond to their neighbors in a time of need, and we are proud to do our part to keep this great state safe and taxpayer costs for fire protection low.”
