Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara (D-Rotterdam) announced that the state Legislature has passed his legislation to create the Amsterdam Firefighters’ Benevolent Association (A. 5517).

“The Amsterdam Fire Department has been protecting the people of our community for decades. These dedicated and brave individuals are our friends and neighbors, and they risk their lives to ensure our families and neighborhoods are safe,” said Assemblyman Santabarbara. “This legislation will streamline the process to ensure the fire department receives money that benefits its firefighters in a timely and efficient manner.”

“By passing this bill to create the Amsterdam Professional Firefighters’ Benevolent Association we will be able to streamline some internal procedures that will not only benefit the fire department, but will also help us better support the Amsterdam Community,” said Mike DeMars, president of the Amsterdam Firefighters Union.

Foreign insurance funds benefit firefighters in a number of ways, enabling the purchase of gear, equipment and supplies for the firehouse, as well as funding department social functions, including installation dinners and banquets. The money also enables the fire department to make charitable contributions and sponsor local sports teams.

Traditionally, all foreign fire insurance funds collected are distributed by the state comptroller to the City of Amsterdam Treasurer. The treasurer is then obligated to pay these funds to an unincorporated association which consists of members of the Amsterdam Fire Department.

However, a revised city charter failed to include the local law that obligated the treasurer to distribute the foreign fire insurance funds to the unincorporated association. This legislation seeks to correct this oversight by incorporating the association and designating it as the proper recipient of the foreign fire insurance funds. The Amsterdam City Council also unanimously passed a resolution supporting this legislation and the creation of the Amsterdam Firefighters’ Benevolent Association.