Legislation designed to ensure volunteer firefighters and EMS responders won't lose their paying jobs simply because they were late or missed work while performing their duties has passed both houses of the New York State Legislature.

 

The bill now awaiting the Governor's review for approval or veto would prohibit the employer from immediately terminating the Volunteer employee solely because he or she was late or missed work due to a bona fide emergency to which they were duly dispatched.

 

The legislation, S 4988 sponsored by Senator Brian Foley  (D Suffolk) and A9856 sponsored by Assemblyman Fred Thiele (I Suffolk) has been a key item on the FASNY legislative agenda for several years and was a response to situations statewide where Volunteers were discharged based on the first instance of tardiness.

 

The bill addresses and protects the line of duty response but also requires the volunteer to take every precaution to notify his employer that he may be late or absent. It does not prohibit the employer from dismissing the volunteer who abuses this protection and places emphasis on a stated policy clearly understood by the volunteer.

 

More on this bill can be found here: http://www.fasny.com/legislative-alert-jobprotectbill.aspx