RIDGEWAY — The fire at Wilson’s Lakeside Market on Jan. 28 has sparked state Sen. Robert Ortt to propose legislation to support volunteer firefighting. At a Friday press conference in Orleans County, Ortt said that the Wilson Fire Company did not have enough volunteer responders to properly respond to the grocery store fire.
“It’s not uncommon,” Ortt said.
Justin Niederhofer, director of Orleans County Emergency Management, said that 20 years ago, towns and villages did not need to rely on mutual aid assistance from other companies because membership was strong. Today, mutual aid is often necessary.
In addition to Wilson Fire Co. #1, responders to the Lakeside Market fire at 337 Lake St. included South Wilson Volunteer Fire Co., Cambria Fire Co., Ransomville Fire Co. and the Niagara Falls Reserve Station’s FAST team. Pat Daul, president of Wilson Fire Co. #1, said 25 members responded Jan. 28, with South Wilson sending 28 responders. “We had the fire under control in two hours,” he said.
Daul agrees that there are not enough volunteers, which is a problem faced statewide. “I think it’s generational.”
Ortt agreed, saying that younger recruits are necessary to solve the volunteer shortage. He also acknowledged the multiple demands on working people. “Being a volunteer doesn’t pay the bills.”
But generational preferences, like working remotely, don’t match with firefighting, he said. “These are jobs that are messy and high-stress. It’s harder and harder to ask someone in their 50s and 60s to respond.”
Other factors have also contributed to low membership at volunteer fire companies. Ortt said the state’s laws for villages require that no more than 45% of a volunteer fire company’s members come from outside the designated village. “In some cases, it’s really hurting village volunteer fire companies.”
“Most of my district is protected by volunteer firefighters,” said Ortt, who represents Orleans and Niagara counties. “I am sure most constituents and residents believe if they call, (responders) would be there … .Somebody’s got to be there to respond.”
In five bills, Ortt proposes the following strategies to support volunteer firefighting:
• Extend tuition-free course benefits to volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers, so they receive meaningful higher education opportunities.
• Create a wage tax credit for employers who employ New York National Guard members, reservists, volunteer firefighters, and EMS personnel.
• Create a wage allowance for active volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers to receive credit for each mile traveled in their own vehicle during an emergency response.
• Proposes that village boards be able to pass a local law allowing more than 45% of volunteer firefighters to live outside the village.
• Authorizes municipalities to recoup the training costs for a firefighter that is hired by another municipality. A similar law is in place for police hires.
Recruit NY, a statewide open house for fire companies is another strategy to bolster volunteer membership. Individuals can take a look behind the scenes at local fire companies April 26-27 and ask questions. More information is available at https://www.recruitny.org/