Welcome to the Official Website for the Goldens Bridge Fire District
UPCOMING BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING
The Goldens Bridge Fire District Board of Commissioners would like to invite you to their in-person monthly board meeting to be held every third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 pm. For anyone unable to participate in Fire District meetings in real time, the minutes of each meeting, as always, will be posted on the Goldens Bridge Fire District website.
LEGAL NOTICE
The Golden’s Bridge Fire District’s monthly meetings for 2023, as scheduled for the third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the Firehouse, are as follows:
January 17, 2023 February 21, 2023 March 21, 2023 April 18, 2023 May 16, 2023 June 20, 2023 July 18, 2023 August 15, 2023 September 19, 2023 October 17, 2023 November 21, 2023 December 19, 2023
BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS OF THE GOLDEN’S BRIDGE FIRE DISTRICT:
EDWARD BRANCATI, Chairman
ROBERT MELILLO, Commissioner
JOSEPH SIMONCINI, Commissioner
GARY POJEDNIC, Commissioner
ROBERT KELLY, Commissioner
MARIE LAZARO, Secretary
FASNY: VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS SAVE NEW YORK STATE TAXPAYERS $4.7 BILLION ANNUALLY
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 Monday by the Firefighters Association of the State of New York (FASNY), 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 (ResEcon), 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,” FASNY President Edward Tase Jr. said, “Without the dedication and service of the brave volunteers throughout 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% are all-volunteer 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% absent volunteer firefighters (taxes would increase between 5.8% and 133.8% depending on the county)
√ There would be a one-time cost of $8.17 billion to acquire existing structures, vehicles and equipment.
Fire District officials should read and consider the “Economic Study of The Tax Savings Generated by New York’s Volunteer Fire Service” study report when considering the decision on whether to implement the new property tax partial exemption in your communities volunteer fire and EMS workers.
FASNY ECONOMIC STUDY 2023 (Click to view, print or download)
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