Putnam Legislature advances local law to expand volunteer firefighter exemption outside members’ municipalities

The Putnam County Legislature discussed and advanced a proposed local law to amend Chapter 220, Article 10, which would expand an exemption for qualified members of volunteer fire departments to include volunteers who serve outside the municipality in which they live.

Supporters said the amendment — including a change to a qualifying service period referenced in committee discussion — aims to reduce burdens on volunteers who already undergo certification and frequent re‑training, often at their own expense. County officials said the change is intended to help maintain volunteer ranks and avoid the fiscal and service impacts that would occur if volunteer calls went unmet.

County counsel clarified a point of confusion in the draft law during the discussion: "That is correct," counsel said when a legislator asked whether the measure was intended to exempt volunteers who serve outside their municipality. Several legislators emphasized the importance of preserving emergency services and said the county had passed a resolution to support efforts to make EMS an essential service at the state level.

Legislators noted that if volunteers were unavailable to respond, towns would have to pay for staffed emergency coverage seven days a week on multiple shifts, producing a substantial cost. Multiple legislators praised volunteers’ training and commitment and described the measure as "a minimum of what we can do" to maintain the volunteer corps.

The proposed amendment moved through committee and was presented for legislative consideration on the agenda; discussion concluded and the meeting proceeded to other items.