HAMBURG, N.Y. — The state budget is due Friday. A potential piece of it would be a game-changer in the millions for volunteer fire departments.

Unlike the 49 other states in the U.S., New York doesn’t allow volunteer fire departments to bill insurers for EMS services of the insured. The cost is astronomical. According to a 2018 survey, volunteer departments that answered nearly 300,000 calls were losing more than $100 million each year. It has been a struggle to get this legislation passed. So, what gives?

What You Need To Know

  • New York is the only state that doesn’t allow volunteer fire departments to bill insurers for EMS services of the insured

  • In the Buffalo, Niagara, and Erie regions, a low estimate of $7 million in EMS costs are absorbed by local departments

  • Recovering EMS cost swould free up much needed money for  adding headcount and better training 

  • Legislation continually stalls in the Assembly Ways and Means Committee

A call for a seizure blares over the alert system at Big Tree Volunteer Fire Company. It goes out to volunteer fire departments across Hamburg and beyond. 

“The screen will give us an update on who is responding,” John Reardon, 2nd assistant chief of Big Tree Volunteer Fire Co. said.

It won’t be Reardon, and the rest of his crew, as Woodlawn picked it up first. 

Staffing is just one issue volunteer fire companies are trying to tackle. 

“It would cost approximately $800 to $1,000 if you were billed through your insurance for a BLS level call. A medical level call can start at $1,500,” Reardon said.

But here’s the thing, if a volunteer company like Big Tree helps you, they have to cover that medical bill even if you have insurance.

“Only an EMS agency can bill,” he explained.

The cost is staggering. According to FASNY, the Buffalo, Niagara and Erie regions, a low estimate of $7 million in EMS costs are absorbed by local departments. 

“Our department does about 1,400 calls, I would say about 80% to 90% have an EMS component,” Reardon said.

While some items cost $5 to $10 others, are much more expensive.

“The LMA’s here are roughly $70 to $100 a piece depending on brand,” Reardon showed.

And the rising cost of fuel doesn’t help, either. 

“From empty, it would be about $200,” Reardon estimated.

This legislation, known as EMS Cost Recovery, has been on the table in Albany for a better part of a decade. The hope is this year it will finally make the governor’s desk as part of the budget. 

“We will keep fighting until we get it,” John Kolb, chairman of FANSY’s Fire Prevention Life Safety Committee said.

The holdup remains unclear, although there is speculation.

“It’s probably coming from coming from the paid departments,” Kolb said.

No doubt technical amendments serve as another issue. For now, anyone who gets EMS service will get a card asking how the department do. 

“Usually hopefully we get a donation back,” Kolb smiled.

What it comes down to is your safety. Reardon says the bill doesn’t pass again the future for volunteer fire companies is bleak. 

“If this passes it will help sustain EMS services that we provide, it will help with funding better education, and help us get more people so we have a better response time,” Reardon said.

The legislation already went through the Senate and passed. Currently, it's Deja-vu for FASNY and volunteer companies as the bill continues to sit in the Assembly Ways and Means Committee. The hope is it will make it out of there, with support from you, and end up in the budget. If not, the fight starts all over for next session.

Back the staffing challenges volunteer departments are facing. Some companies allow for junior recruits, starting at 16-years-old. Otherwise, 18 is the age requirement. Classes and training are paid for by the fire company. EMS training, which can about $8,000 is covered as well.

Coming up April 23-24 is the annual Recruit NY event. Departments will hold opening houses to add to their ranks.