Study Shows Volunteer Fire Service Fundamental to Keeping New York Safe, Economically Sound

New York’s volunteer firefighters, which respond to emergency calls in a majority of the state, save not only lives and property, but also billions in taxpayer dollars. According to an economic impact study released today by the Firefighters Association of the State of New York, these dedicated volunteers help New York taxpayers save $4.7 billion annually through their services.

The report emphasizes the critical role of volunteer firefighters in safeguarding New York’s communities and helping to save lives. The 80,000 volunteer firefighters in the state provide vital protection and services during emergencies and contribute significantly to their communities through continuous training, outreach, and fire safety education. They also play a critical role in the statewide response plans to major emergencies and natural disasters.

Prepared by Resolution Economics, the “Economic Study of The Tax Savings Generated by New York’s Volunteer Fire Service” is the second study in the past decade to examine the economic impact of New York’s volunteer firefighters. Volunteer firefighters keep local taxes and expenses low by eliminating the need to pay career firefighters wages, benefits, and related costs. New York State relies heavily on volunteer fire departments, and a conversion to paid departments would cause a severe economic burden and require a massive increase in property taxes.

“This report underscores the importance and value of the volunteer firefighting service to New York,” said FASNY President Edward Tase Jr. “Without the dedication and service of the brave volunteers throughout

An Open Letter to KeyBank Landlord

This is about safety—making 103 Main Street, Cooperstown a far safer place from which to do business; it’s not about any kind of law suit.

The need for greater safety in your building was acutely brought home to me on Monday, March 13 when, having concluded my business at KeyBank, and as I left the building, I fell down. Whilst I am 94, I’m a licensed driver in good health and used to walking up to a mile or two a day. I’ve been banking at KeyBank most of my life and always go in and out the front door. What I failed to notice on this occasion was that after descending the few steps that lead to the exit doors, there is an additional (about 6-inch-high) step to reach the sidewalk. This step is the same color as the sidewalk. The hand rails are set back on each side of the steps and relatively unobtrusive.

I missed the step, which caught my heel and propelled me 6-8 feet out onto the sidewalk. Fortunately (almost miraculously!), I sustained only superficial wounds and a possible cracked rib, but no other broken bones and no head injury. My wife—who, like me is a physician—witnessed this event and was horrified.

I reported the event to our teller with the suggestion that the step be painted yellow—and/or some warning sign be placed to prevent further accidents—and was informed that KeyBank does not own the building. The teller declined to inform us as to who is the landlord, hence this letter to both entities.

At the Randy Johnson photo exhibit opening event at Fenimore Art Museum this past weekend, I was reminded that I’m not the only old person living around Cooperstown. My wife and I are most concerned that none of us ever get needlessly injured exiting 103 Main Street. You have the ability to greatly mitigate the the state, local taxpayers would face a significant financial burden to fund the type of emergency response they are accustomed to. Our volunteer firefighters train extensively to be able to respond to their neighbors in a time of need, and we are proud to do our part to keep this great State safe and taxpayer costs for fire protection low.”

Among the findings in the report:

• Fully paid career departments would cost New York taxpayers $4.7 billion annually in pay, benefits, operating, maintenance and capital costs.

• 31,058 full-time paid firefighters would need to be hired.

• Of New York State’s 1,640 fire departments, 93.2 percent are allvolunteer or mostly volunteer.

• If New York State switched to an all-paid fire service:

• Local government property taxes would rise an average of 28.4 percent absent volunteer firefighters (taxes would increase between 5.8 percent and 133.8 percent, depending on the county)

• There would be a one-time cost of $8.17 billion to acquire existing structures, vehicles and equipment.

New York State Association of Counties President Michael E. Zurlo said, “Volunteer firefighters exemplify the best of New York: courage, service and sacrifice. Not only do volunteer firefighters save lives and protect property, but they also save millions of dollars of taxpayer money that can be put to use serving their communities in countless other capacities. The report chances of such a tragedy. (Taking action now might well save you quite a lot of $ as well!)

Nicholas Cunningham MD, Dr PH, Emeritus Professor of Clinical Pediatrics and Public Health, Columbia University Springfield Center

Reader Shares Fitness

Center Personal Story

I have written once before to plead for the continuation of our lifeline in this community. Today, I would like to illustrate this great need using a very personal story I have not told before. I joined FoxCare Fitness in 2013, like many others, seeking health and wellness. I found the perfect place to start, as it was always designed to accommodate any fitness level, any age, and any need was met by kind and caring professionals. How comfortable have we all felt there; this quiet, clean, safe environment with support of staff and so many options?

Things changed in an instant in 2019, when the fateful words “you have cancer” felt like they were being delivered muffled through cotton. In that instant, having seen my whole life pass before my eyes, I decided to bravely meet it and my life head-on. FoxCare Fitness then truly became my lifeline. I continued to take the cardio and aerobic classes, knowing they would provide the strength I needed, both mentally and physically. Still perspiring, I would run down the entire length of the building; FoxCare on one end, Oncology on the other with 15 minutes between exercise and radiation. Having FoxCare as my guide and my saving grace made my brain believe it was just another day—every day for six weeks. I could never repay them for that gift.

To understand the need for such a facility, you have only to read my story and so many other similar stories centered around struggle. Where else is there such a building where health released by FASNY highlights the critical need for the State of New York to invest in the volunteer fire community to ensure New Yorkers have access to reliable and effective fire service and that our communities continue to benefit from the dedication and generosity of these brave men and women.”

“In addition to saving lives, the selfless individuals who volunteer as firefighters in New York also save residents a significant amount in tax dollars,” said Gerry Geist, executive director of the Association of Towns. “Towns, and ultimately taxpayers, are able to save money by contracting with volunteer fire departments for fire protection services. We look forward to working with legislators and stakeholders on creating local options to encourage retention and recruitment, as well as state funded programs and incentives to support volunteer emergency service providers.”

“The New York State Conference of Mayors applauds the dedicated men and women of New York’s volunteer fire service and appreciates their commitment to protecting our communities,” said NYCOM Executive Director Peter A. Baynes. “This report confirms what we have long believed—that the volunteer fire service is not only good for our residents, but it’s good for municipal budgets as well. We commend FASNY for commissioning this study and look forward to partnering with them to help strengthen the volunteer fire service throughout New York State.” and wellness mesh so perfectly with medical care? Where can you go in rural America where mentally, physically, and emotionally you know that every part of you is being cared for? Where shall we go from here?

Founded in 1872, the Firefighters Association of the State of New York represents the interests of the approximately 80,000 volunteer firefighters and emergency medical personnel in New York State.  For more information, visit www.fasny.com.

I share this very personal story to add to the numerous ones you’ve already received. People who have been cared for, looked after in body and mind, and made to feel they matter. By the grace of FoxCare Fitness go many of us. Please let it continue so that we may seek wellness as we travel the rocky road of life.

Jane Kreischer Oneonta

Alternate Housing Sites Are Available

The Notre Dame Cooperstown Land Use Plan identified affordable housing as a need for the village. One of the sites they recommended were the vacant fields on Brooklyn Avenue leading to the Clark Sports Center. The study did not recommend clear-cutting the forest on Irish Hill for apartments, nor did it recommend demolishing an historic building in Fly Creek for apartments, as previously proposed by the owner of the Irish Hill property and the Brooklyn Avenue land. For that matter, it didn’t recommend block-busting an historic single-family home block for an apartment. What it did recommend and what village officials should encourage is to develop affordable housing and apartments in under-developed areas. Fortunately, the village has recently annexed the industrial land along Linden Avenue that is now used as a storage yard by the county. Those facilities can be relocated outside of the village, and the land zoned for multi-family housing. No more block-busting or clear-cutting necessary. And Brooklyn Avenue can remain a scenic meadow. A win-win-win, as if a triple play.

Chip Northrup Cooperstown

135 Years Ago

Under the rules and regulations of the Board of Health, “every privy vault and cesspool shall be cleaned and contents thereof removed at least once in each year, and on or before the first of May,” etc. It is hoped that citizens will appreciate the importance of complying with the requirement and govern themselves accordingly. The farther the contents of these receptacles of filth can be removed from the human habitation the better. No doubt we as a community suffer from the burial of filth near our residences. If it be so that any who live not very near neighbors think they can safely bury the contents of their vaults, I would urge them not to bury it within 1,000 feet of a house, well, or spring of water. Above all, do not bury it deep; cover slightly with soil, just sufficient to absorb the odor. The gravel or sand underneath the soil possesses no power or property of absorbing anything; it is a sanitary point of view, simply a conductor of air and water; hence the danger of deep burial of decaying and putrid matter. O.W. Peck, M.D., Health Officer.

April 1888

110 Years Ago

The directors of the Fox Memorial Hospital have purchased one of the finest X-ray machines in the country. The machine is known as the Solace Interruption X-ray machine, and is exactly the same type and size that is used in the Roosevelt Presbyterian New York Post Graduate, and in short, all the leading metropolitan hospitals. The cost was $1,500. The machine arrived early last week and was installed on Thursday and Friday under the direction of Dr. H.F. Waite of New York, who is a member of the Waite & Bartlett company of New York who are exclusive manufacturers of electric medical and surgical appliances and devices, and are conceded to be foremost among the manufacturers of such goods in the country, if not in the world. It is an 8-kilowatt machine with a voltage of 150,000. It has other currents for treatment of eczema, neuralgia, muscular rheumatism, and for reducing arterial tension. During the first two days many interesting radiographs were taken.

April 1913

90 Years Ago

Pursuant to action of Congress in amending the Volstead Act, legal beer returned to Otsego County Friday morning of last week. Federal permits at five dollars each are all that a vendor requires outside the City of Oneonta in order to sell the 3.2 percent brew. With the modification of the Volstead Act and failure of the state government to establish a control plan, the Oneonta Common Council at an adjourned meeting Thursday evening unanimously passed a local ordinance providing for a regulation of wholesale and retail dealers, including restaurants and clubs. It provides that all vendors must procure a license in addition to the one required from the federal government. The city licenses will cost $50. Sale of beer is prohibited between the hours of 1 and 6 a.m. and during the hours of elections; to minors under the age of 18 years, directly or indirectly; within 500 feet of a school or church excepting in restaurants, stores, and certain other business places.

April 1933

30 Years Ago

April 1993 from the noteworthy