File #: Res 0785-2007    Version: * Name: Volunteer Ambulance Workers’ Benefit Law to include volunteer ambulance workers who render aid at the request of the City.
Type: Resolution Status: Filed
Committee: Committee on Civil Service and Labor
On agenda: 3/28/2007
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to amend the Volunteer Ambulance Workers’ Benefit Law to include volunteer ambulance workers who render aid at the request of the City.
Sponsors: David I. Weprin, Tony Avella, Lewis A. Fidler, Vincent J. Gentile, Sara M. Gonzalez, Letitia James, Darlene Mealy, Helen Sears, Albert Vann, Kendall Stewart, Alan J. Gerson, James Vacca, Simcha Felder
Council Member Sponsors: 13
Attachments: 1. Committee Report 4/30/07, 2. Hearing Transcript 4/30/07
Date Ver.Prime SponsorAction ByActionResultAction DetailsMeeting DetailsMultimedia
12/31/2009*David I. Weprin City Council Filed (End of Session)  Action details Meeting details Not available
4/30/2007*David I. Weprin Committee on Civil Service and Labor Hearing Held by Committee  Action details Meeting details Not available
4/30/2007*David I. Weprin Committee on Civil Service and Labor Laid Over by Committee  Action details Meeting details Not available
3/28/2007*David I. Weprin City Council Referred to Comm by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available
3/28/2007*David I. Weprin City Council Introduced by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available
Res. No. 785
 
 
Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to amend the Volunteer Ambulance Workers' Benefit Law to include volunteer ambulance workers who render aid at the request of the City.
 
 
By Council Members Weprin, Avella, Fidler, Gentile, Gonzalez, James, Mealy, Sears, Vann, Stewart, Gerson, Vacca and Felder
 
Whereas, In recognition of their noble and heroic service to their communities and the State, the New York State Volunteer Ambulance Workers' Benefit Law of 1988 (VAWBL) was adopted to provide benefits similar to workers' compensation to members of volunteer ambulance companies and their families in the event of death or injury sustained in the line of duty; and
Whereas, In order to be eligible to receive benefits under this law, volunteer ambulance workers must perform services pursuant to a contract with the City; and
Whereas, There are currently independent volunteer ambulance companies in the City that are required, pursuant to a memorandum of understanding with the Regional Emergency Medical Services Council of New York City, a non-profit corporation created pursuant to State law that is responsible for coordinating medical services in New York City, to render aid when called upon by the Fire Department of New York and/or the New York City Office of Emergency Management; and
Whereas, Since such volunteer ambulance workers lack a contract with the City, they are not considered to be eligible for benefits pursuant to the VAWBL for death or injury sustained as a result of rendering requested aid; and
Whereas, Under a law similar to the VAWBL, the New York State Volunteer Firefighters' Benefit Law of 1957 (VFBL), volunteer members of the New York City Fire Department emergency rescue and first aid squads receive benefits similar to workers' compensation; and
Whereas, There should be parity between the benefits offered to volunteer members of the New York City Fire Department emergency rescue and first aid squads who are killed or injured in the line of duty and independent volunteer ambulance workers who render aid at the City's request who are killed or injured in the line of duty; now, therefore, be it
      Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Legislature to amend the Volunteer Ambulance Workers' Benefit Law to include volunteer ambulance workers who render aid at the request of the City.
 
EC
LS#2039
2/26/07, 4:35 pm