Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara (D-Rotterdam) announced that legislation he authored to help the Delanson Volunteer Fire Department maintain their membership has passed the Assembly (A.9572).

“Delanson families rely on their volunteer fire department to provide life-saving care in times of emergency,” said Assemblyman Santabarbara. “It’s unthinkable that one of our family members or neighbors might not get the prompt help they need because the volunteer fire department was understaffed.”

Due to the rural nature of the village of Delanson, the volunteer fire department has faced difficulties sustaining an adequate membership. Making things more challenging, current state law requires 45 percent of the department’s members to reside within the village. Assemblyman Santabarbara’s legislation would waive this requirement, allowing the department to recruit volunteers from the surrounding town of Duanesburg, helping to maintain a sufficient volunteer staff to provide first-response services to the Delanson community.

“Thanks to Assemblyman Santabarbara, we will ensure the department is able to quickly and effectively respond to any and all emergencies,” said Kevin Morrison, Village of Delanson Volunteer Fire Department Chief.

Earlier this year, the Assembly passed legislation Assemblyman Santabarbara sponsored that would provide coverage to volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers if injured in the line of duty while providing services outside of their jurisdiction before an officer in command arrives (A.8991).