THE CAPITAL BULLETIN THE CAPITAL BULLETIN INFORMATION FOR FIRE DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS, SECRETARIES, TREASURERS & CHIEFSINFORMATION FOR FIRE DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS, SECRETARIES, TREASURERS & CHIEFS

EDITOR, TOM RINALDIEDITOR, TOM RINALDI AUGUST 4TH 2018AUGUST 4TH 2018DON’T TALK, ACT – DON’T SAY, SHOW – DON’T PROMISE, PROVEDON’T TALK, ACT – DON’T SAY, SHOW – DON’T PROMISE, PROVE

CAPITAL SHORTS:CAPITAL SHORTS:

Because of the FASNY Conference in Syracuse next week, no Bulletin will be produced. This year’s fire district budget calendar on the last page. California wildfires: Over 5 days, requests for 900 engines went unfilled

CAPITAL AREA ASSOCIATION NEWS:CAPITAL AREA ASSOCIATION NEWS:WWW.AFDCA.ORGWWW.AFDCA.ORG

Meetings: Currently all meetings will be held at the West Crescent Fire Station, which is centrally located to the 8 counties represented by the Association. Food is served for the convenience of the attendees.Meeting Dates: Taking the summer off - September 13th, October 18th, November 8th

Fall Workshop planned for November 10th at Westmere’s Fire Station on Western Ave.

The Capital Area has logo ware for sale, long and short sleeve polo shirts. Contact President John Meehan to purchase shirts.

Remember that the Capital Bulletins are archived for 6 months on the Capital Area Website – www.afdca.org see Capital Bulletin Archives.

STATE ASSOCIATION NEWS:STATE ASSOCIATION NEWS:WWW.AFDSNY.ORGWWW.AFDSNY.ORG

In the last issue the website was incorrect: its www.afdsny.orgThe Leadership Forum for October 10 th through the 14 th 2018 in Saratoga is available on the Association’s web site, watch for

information in the mail this coming week!! See the activities and agenda on the web site at www.afdsny .org We have more than 70 registered already!

Request Regional Training at YOUR Fire Station!!!The first regional training session was held at the Elba Fire Station in western New York on May 5 th. Forty fire district staff members attended, they had never attended the Association’s annual workshops. The Association is bringing training to YOU!!

Can’t make it to the Annual Meeting or Fall Leadership Summit? Your budget won’t support spring or fall training? Would you like some professional training in your area of the State? The State Association is here for you.

The State is Offering Training in your Neighborhood – Just Contact Cathy DeLuca to Scheduleo We need to have about 40 people in the seats, commissioners, secretaries, treasurers, chiefs.

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o The cost is $25 per person, which includes refreshments.o You provide a location, we will provide the instructors.

Courses available?o Introduction to Apparatus and Fleet Vehicle Evaluation & Planningo Introduction to Fire Service Conflict Resolutiono Introduction to Human Resources for the Volunteer Fire Serviceo Ask the Attorney!!

Contact Cathy DeLuca at cdeluca@afdsny to schedule your regional training, we’re coming to YOU!.

The “New and Improved” On-Line Commissioner’s 6 hour training is available on the State Association web site. The training has been completely revamped for better and easier

viewing.

It’s Official, the Annual Meeting and workshops will again be held at the Marriott on Wolf Road on May 2nd through the 4th in 2019.

ASSOCIATION TRAINING CONTACTCathy Deluca

AFDSNY Program CoordinatorPO Box 496

Selkirk, NY 12158(C) (518) 275-6585

program.coordinator@afdsny.orgAssociation Web Site www.afdsny.org

SPEAK UP FIRE SERVICE!SPEAK UP FIRE SERVICE!

Take ActionTell Congress to Make Volunteer Benefits Tax-Free!The Volunteer Responder Incentive Protection Act (H.R. 1550/S. 1238) exempts property tax benefits and up to $600 per year in other incentives that volunteer fire and EMS personnel receive as a reward for their service from being taxed by the federal government. Contact your U.S. Representative and Senators using the NVFC's Legislative Action Center and ask them to cosponsor the Volunteer Responder Incentive Protection Act!Tell Your Senators to Support the Volunteer First Responder Housing Act!On September 19, Senator Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) introduced the Volunteer First Responder Housing Act (S. 1831). Contact your U.S. Senators today and ask them to co-sponsor S. 1831!

LEGISLATIVE UPDATESLEGISLATIVE UPDATES

Bills that made it through both chambers:1. Exempts the cost of the FF Cancer Benefit Plan from the Fire District’s Spending Limitation HAS

PASSED BOTH THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY and has been sent to the Governor for signature!2. Authorizes the Commissioner of DHSES/OFPC to identify skills that can be taught safely at an

individual’s home department or on-line for firefighter certification.3. The Fire Apparatus Lemon Law.

SEE THE FINAL SCORECARD FOR 2018 AT THIS WEB SITE: http://afdca.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Final-Scorecard-2017-2018-Session.doc

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NYS Fire Service Alliance – Issues of United Concern Priorities for the 2018 Legislative Session with status:TOUGH YEAR FOR THE FIRE SERVICE!!!Primary Issues : : See the Scorecard for Updates

Fair Play EMS Cost Recovery Legislation- In the Assembly Local Government Committee, moved to the Senate Finance Committee

Elimination of Cancer Causing Fire Retardants in Upholstered Furniture- Senate Environmental Conservation Committee/Assembly third reading

Increased Penalties for Illegal Building Conversions- Senate and Assembly Codes Committee

Parity Legislation for VFBL/VAWBL payments for temporary total disability- Senate Finance Committee/Passed the Assembly

Fire Apparatus Lemon Law Protection- Passed the Senate and the Assembly

Enact legislation requiring the State Fire Administrator to convene a group of fire service associations, and employee representatives to review the training standards for chiefs and make recommendations.

ON CAPITOL HILL IN WASHINGTONSENATE BILL INTRODUCED TO GIVE VOLUNTEER EMERGENCY RESPONDERS STUDENT DEBT RELIEFOn June 25, Senator Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) introduced S. 3124, the Help Encourage a Lifetime of Public Service (HELPS) Act, which would waive interest payments on federal student loans for public servants, including volunteer emergency responders. The bill would also make volunteer emergency responders eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, which forgives federally-financed student loan debt of individuals who have been public servants and made all of their student loan repayments for 10 consecutive years.

FY 2019 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill Advances in the SenateOn June 21, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved S. 3109, a bill making appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for FY 2019. S. 3109 maintains funding for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant programs at $350 million each. It also increases funding for the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) by $1.1million.

HOUSE AND SENATE COMMITTEES PASS FY 2019 INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS BILLSEarlier this month, the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations passed different versions of the FY 2019 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. The House bill, H.R. 6147, was passed by the committee on June 6 while the Senate version, S. 3073, was approved by the committee on June 14. The next step will be consideration by the full House and Senate.Both H.R. 6147 and S. 3073 contain $16 million for the Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) grant and $80 million for the State Fire Assistance (VFA) grant programs. VFA provides funding to volunteer fire departments protecting communities with populations of 10,000 or less that are located in areas threatened by wildland fire.

Legislation Introduced Clarifying that Fire Police are Public Safety OfficersOn May 15, Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Patrick Toomey (R-PA) introduced S. 2871, the Fire Police Fairness Act. S. 2871 is identical to H.R. 3918, which was introduced in the House of Representatives last October by Representative Joe Courtney (D-CT) with a bi-partisan group of 19 original cosponsors. The Fire Police Fairness Act establishes “fire police officer” as a new category. The Fire Police Fairness Act establishes “fire police officer” as a new category of public safety officer, defined as an individual who, “is serving in accordance with State or local law as an officially recognized or designated member of a legally organized public safety agency…” and “provides scene security or directs traffic in response to any fire drill, fire call, or other fire, rescue, or police emergency…”.Fire police officers are typically volunteer members of fire departments who perform traffic incident management duties at emergencies and planned special events. According to a 2011 report from the National Fire Protection Association, from 1991-2010 there were 68 line-of-duty deaths suffered by fire police officers in the United States.Historically, fire police officers were considered public safety officers based on the fact that they respond to emergencies in an official capacity as members of volunteer fire departments. In 2006, the Department of Justice implemented new PSOB regulations that established a narrow definition of “firefighter” that resulted in some fire police

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officers losing eligibility for PSOB. Although many fire police are able to qualify for PSOB as firefighters or police officers, there have been cases where a fire police officer suffered a fatal injury while responding to an incident as a member of a fire department and the PSOB application was denied.

WHO’S DOING WHAT? THE TRAINING IS RIGHT HERE TAKEWHO’S DOING WHAT? THE TRAINING IS RIGHT HERE TAKE ADVANTAGE!ADVANTAGE!

20 FASNY 2018 Convention, Liverpool Holiday Inn On August 9-12 FASNY will hold their 146th Annual Convention at the Liverpool Holiday Inn, I hope so see you all there. The Keynote Speaker will be Bobby Halton editor and chief of Fire Engineering Magazine. Other speakers will include Les Baker from Charleston SC with 105 Tactical Extrication Tips, Joe Pronesti of the Elyria Ohio FD on “Lost in the Fog of the Fireground” and David Lewis of the Odenton Maryland FD on See Something – Say Something. Conference registration is available at: https://fasny.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/ConventionRegistrationFNLv2.pdf

18 Technical Rescue Conference – OFPCSeptember 29 – 30th, State Preparedness Training Center at Oriskany, NYGo to for program and registration: http://www.dhses.ny.gov/ofpc/news/events/index.cfm

State Chief’s Regional Hands on Training - FlashoverSeptember 29 & 30th Fulton CountyVenue Name: Fulton County Fire Training CenterLocation:133 Sun Valley RoadGloversville, NY United States 12078Event Website: http://www.nysfirechiefs.com/content.asp?contentid=191Organization Name: NYSAFCContact:Sue RevoirEmail: srevoir@nysfirechiefs.comPhone: 800-676-3473Hosts: Johnstown Fire Department & Fulton County EMO3-hour program includes 1-hour lecture and live fire hands-on training.Student prerequisites and PPE requirements apply.Full program details and registration form available here.

State Chiefs Presents 2018 Seminar Series “Thermal Imaging: Expanding Your Horizons” 3-Hour ProgramThis 3-hour seminar will include two segments – a lecture outlining the various uses of fire service thermal imagers (TI), followed by an audiovisual presentation and projection of a thermal imager utilizing telemetry. Instructors will demonstrate several uses of a thermal imager at a department drill, thus increasing the understanding of these units and showing how they can be used at incidents other than structure fires.Registration Fee:$25 per person – NYSAFC Individual and Department Members$40 per person – Non-MembersOn-site registration will be available at all sites. Registration area opens 30 minutes prior to the start of each seminar.*If you are registering using a NYSAFC Department Member number for discounted pricing, you must download the PDF registration form and fax, mail, or email it to the NYSAFC office. Online registration for Department Members is not available at this time.February 22, 2018 – Fulton County7:00 PM Berkshire Fire District 320 Steele Ave, Gloversville, NY 12078November 28, 2018 – Albany County7:00 p.m.Latham Volunteer Fire Department • 226 Old Loudon Road • Latham, NY 12110

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Did YOU Know? FASNY offers a Catalogue of Continuing Education Seminars? Training right in front of you, take advantage of it!!Click on this link to learn more: http://www.fasny.com/pdfs/FASNYCourseCatalog.pdf

Flashover Training ProgramFulton County, September 29th and 30th 2018 at the Fulton Co Training Center in Gloversville.

“Best Practices” Coming BackDue to the overwhelmingly positive response to this program, NYSAFC has decided to continue it in 12 additional locations. The association is pleased to announce that PERMA will be generously supporting the upcoming trainings, which will be held from fall 2018 to spring 2019. These trainings will continue to be free of charge for participants, but each site will be limited to 60 participants. Watch the NYSAFC website for new dates and locations, which will be announced in summer 2018.

For nearly two years, NYSAFC has had a partnership with Lexipol, a company dedicated to providing top level SOPs and SOGs to emergency services personnel across the country. From fall 2017 through spring 2018, Lexipol sponsored 12 Firefighter Best Practices – A Model Program trainings conducted by NYSAFC. During the association’s 112th Annual Conference & FIRE 2018 Expo in June, Lexipol co-founder Gordon Graham delivered the event keynote address to a full house of emergency services personnel. Lexipol provides additional free information to NYSAFC members. View the following on-demand webinars covering a wide range of important topics for emergency services personnel:

Background Investigations in Public Safety Structural Firefighter LODDs: The Facts, The Lessons, The Future Firefighters Under Fire: Learning from Active-Shooter Incidents Highway Safety and Survival: 6 Essential Steps for First Responders Sizing Up Firefighter Suicide Free Speech? Understanding How and When Departments Can Limit What Firefighters Say From Baby Wipes to Annual Exams: Fighting Cancer in the Fire Service Below 100: Creating Lasting Behavioral Change – That Saves Lives

GRANTSGRANTS

Newburgh lays off firefighters as federal grant expires The federal SAFER grant that funded 12 Newburgh City firefighters expired at midnight on Monday morning resulting in layoffs. The city council previously voted to retain three positions funded in the budget. Of the nine remaining positions four slots were vacant and five were filled resulting in layoffs. Three men transferred to paid positions in the Arlington Fire Department. The department is now down to 59 firefighters from a previous level of 68. Acting Fire Chief Terry Ahlers said that means fewer firefighters responding to calls. "We will still get there in the same amount of time but is going to take longer is actually putting water on the fire, having enough manpower to actually do a rescue, to get the building opened up," Ahlers said. "It's going to take a little more time. We have less people to do the same amount of work." Mayor Torrance Harvey has been in communication with Governor Cuomo, Congressman Maloney and Senator Gillibrand. [another reminder of the downside of federal grants]

DEC ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR VOLUNTEER FIRE ASSISTANCE GRANTSFunds Provide Assistance to Rural Fire Departments

The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is now accepting applications forfederally funded “Volunteer Fire Assistance” grants, Commissioner Basil Seggos announcedtoday. The deadline for applications is August 10."The Volunteer Fire Assistance grants are a great way to help our local volunteer firedepartments, which we rely on to help battle wildfires and forest fires across the state," saidCommissioner Seggos. “Last year, we were able to help 319 fire departments across the state

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purchase much-needed firefighting equipment.”The Volunteer Fire Assistance grant program is funded by the U.S. Forest Service andadministered by DEC Forest Rangers. If awarded, fire departments receive 50/50 matchingfunds up to $1,500. Last year, the program provided $1,500 grants to 319 firedepartments. DEC received a federal appropriation of $514,215 for 2018.Only expenses directly related to fire suppression efforts are eligible for funding. Theseinclude the purchase of portable pumps, portable backpack pumps, hand tools, hoses, lightweightfireproof clothing (Nomex), hard hats, turnout gear, portable radios, generators and dryhydrants. Expenditures not directly related to firefighting, such as search and rescue, acquisitionof land, construction of buildings and facilities, major apparatus purchases and maintenanceitems are not eligible for funding.Eligible fire departments include those that serve a single town with a population under10,000; those that serve multiple communities, one of which is a rural town of less than 10,000residents; and fire departments in towns with a population of 10,000 or more that meet therequirements listed on the application. Fire departments that receive a grant award mustcomplete all required grant paperwork by Nov. 30, 2018.For applications or further information about the grant program, contact DEC at (518)402-8839, or write to NYSDEC, Division of Forest Protection, 625 Broadway 3rd Floor, Albany,NY 12233-2560 or, visit DEC’s website at http://www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/2364.html.###Connect with DEC on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube

OFPC Information BulletinFY2018-19 Recruitment and Retention Grant Program Application Period Open: 7/27/18 - 9/14/18

Applications are now being accepted for the FY2018-19 Recruitment and Retention Grant Program. This program will support the recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters and emergency services personnel by promoting the development of, or supporting existing, regional recruitment and retention efforts. The program’s primary objectives are to support organizational leadership development through education and training and to develop and implement recruitment and retention programs and materials. Organizations that are located within, and serve, the State of New York are eligible to apply. Eligible organizations include: volunteer fire companies or fire departments; municipalities and/ or fire districts acting on behalf of fire departments, fire companies and/or emergency services organizations operating under the authority of that municipality or district and are comprised of 50% or more of volunteers; volunteer emergency medical service organizations or statewide organizations representing volunteer firefighters and emergency service personnel. As noted above, this program is intended to promote the formation of new regional recruitment and retention partnerships or support existing regional efforts. Regional applications must identify a Submitting Partner and all Participating Partners and all partners must be eligible organizations. Applications will also be accepted from Statewide Organizations who demonstrate that they serve the statewide interest of volunteer firefighters and emergency services personnel and will provide benefits statewide.The FY2018-2019 Recruitment and Retention Grant Program Request for Applications (RFA) and additional information is available online at www.dhses.ny.gov/ofpc/recruit-retain-grantIn an effort to aid eligible applications, DHSES will be offering an Informational Webinar to discuss the FY2018- 19 Recruitment and Retention Grant Program. The Webinar will be hosted on August 7, 2018 at 11:00 am. Call-in information is listed below: Weblink: https://share.dhs.gov/rrgrant/ Conference Line: 1-857-232-0159 / Conference Code: 852398 Applications must be submitted via the E-Grants System by no later than 5:00 PM, September 14, 2018. FY2018-19 Recruitment and Retention Grant Program Application Period Open: 7/27/18 - 9/14/18

BEST PRACTICESBEST PRACTICES

In Oregon college town, cramming for finals one day, fighting fires the next

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Jakob Eisenbeiss could see the roaring flames from four blocks away. He heard the cries of concerned neighbors as the flames consumed the house beside theirs, wondering if their home would be next. But Eisenbeiss could not afford to get distracted. He had a job to do. With his lieutenant at his side, he got to work. Eisenbeiss felt drained after the July fire was out. He tried to quench his thirst by chugging water. Despite his exhaustion, his day was not done. Eisenbeiss still needed to put away his equipment and hose down the firetruck. His shift finally ended at 3 a.m. Eisenbeiss was in class less than four hours later. The 20-year-old Oregon State University student volunteers for the Corvallis Fire Department through a year-round program that offers free housing in fire stations and emergency training to participants who work at least 120 hours per month.

How to develop a fire service UAS training programBy Tony DeMolina,

This special coverage takes an in-depth look at considerations for fire departments looking to implement a UAS program and much more.

A comprehensive training program must address:

Evolving regulations for the use of UAS. Expanding roles for employment of aircraft. Creating public approbation for drone operations. Ensuring safety – a critical element highlighted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) – is infused into

training.

These concepts are incorporated in DRONE Training©, a method for creating UAS education architecture and training plans taught through the Los Angeles County Regional Training Center (LACRTC), a non-profit organization providing training to public safety personnel.

DRONE Training systematically addresses the challenges of combining shared concepts derived from public safety and aviation communities. The acronym stands for:

Determine pre-scripted mission sets. Research requirements. Obtain authorizations and authorities. Note areas of increased risk. Evaluate capabilities and limitations.

UAS A3 Analysis© – also taught through LACRTC – analyzes operational gaps between the aviator, aircraft and airspace to ensure a comprehensive training regimen ready for operations built on emerging aviation technology.

Together, these strategies forge a successful training program for UAS operations.

DETERMINE PRE-SCRIPTED MISSION SETS

A UAS training plan begins with determining pre-scripted mission sets.

Public safety UAS pilots owe a debt of gratitude to the pioneers in police and fire services who flew search and rescue and traffic collision reconstruction flights. Contemporary missions leverage the tactical capabilities of small semi-autonomous aircraft. The disparity between these missions cannot be understated.

Public safety training time is a valuable commodity. The goal is to develop specific mission sets from the overarching functional areas and concentrate training time and resources on specified and implied tasks associated with those missions. Exercising pre-scripted mission sets becomes the foundation of the unit’s operational capability.

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RESEARCH REQUIREMENTS

The next step in crafting a training program is to research requirements.

The logistical requirements of aviation training are complex. The most pressing concern is coordinating a training area with ample airspace free from encumbrances of other aircraft or the non-participating public (a term used by the FAA to describe people on the ground not associated with the UAS operation).

Aeronautical training can encompass an expansive geographical footprint, requiring suitable obstacles in order to negotiate the conduct of searches. Based upon established pre-scripted mission sets, both exterior and interior locations may be required.

Another concern for the UAS training planner is establishing a fleet of training aircraft or accepting the risk of damage to the operational capability of the unit. While airspace and aircraft are common to all flight operations, collective training presents additional requirements to the overall plan. Collective training occurs between two units working together for a common goal. Identify resource requirements before the training occurs.

OBTAIN AUTHORIZATIONS AND AUTHORITIES

Obtaining authorizations and authorities has a direct correlation to the requirements of the training plan.

UAS flights, whether operational or training, occur under one of three banners established by the FAA:

Public Use (Federal or State governmental organizations). 14 CFR Part 107 (civil operations). 14 CFR Part 101 (involving model or recreational flight).

Each has unique requirements for airborne UAS activities.

Public Use flights require a documented training program designed by the concerned entity. Governmental status must be established with the FAA as a precursor to the application process. A Certificate of Authorization or Waiver (COA) documents UAS permissions and limitations in the same manner as a memorandum of agreement.

Conversely, Part 107 establishes minimum training requirements for organizations conducting flights. Part 107 requires each pilot to be individually licensed through the FAA. A Part 107 waiver will only be granted after the responsible party has demonstrated the flight can be conducted safely. Under Part 107, airspace access is obtained through the waiver process and currently requires a 90-day lead time for processing.

In the near future, the FAA will roll out the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) nationwide. Currently, the program is in the testing phase at 45 airports across the country. LAANC hopes to expedite airspace authorizations down to a matter of minutes, which today take months to obtain.

While somewhat counterintuitive, Part 101-hobby and recreational flights generally require no approval at all. Pilots are simply required to notify any airport or heliport within five miles of the aircraft’s flight path of their presence.

Although it is tempting to look toward Part 101 for training needs, the section limits the pilot to non-commercial activities. Since the trainee cannot be paid for piloting the aircraft and the operation would need to be separate and apart from the workplace, Part 101 is only viable for individual training to address currency and proficiency issues. It is important to note that the concerned pilot must ensure “the aircraft is operated in accordance with a community-based set of safety guidelines and within the programming of a nationwide community-based organization.”

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Any interior training is not under the purview of the FAA and not considered part of National Airspace. Interior operations are only regulated by organizational policy.

NOTE AREAS OF INCREASED RISK

The FAA provides guidance on establishing a safety management system in Advisory Circular 120-92B. The information it contains can be used to note areas of increased risk in the training plan. Systematic hazard identification, followed by an assessment of each hazard, guides the development of mitigation strategies to establish a training environment free of accidents or incidents.

EVALUATE CAPABILITIES AND LIMITATIONS

To effect an efficient UAS training program, agencies need to evaluate capabilities and limitations of the aircraft’s intended use before and after the training event. A flight should not occur operationally until the pre-scripted mission set is tested and validated. Failure outside of the training environment leads to a lack of confidence in the airborne system and potentially puts the entire program in jeopardy.

ADDITIONAL DRONE TRAINING RESOURCES

Training planners are not on their own accomplishing these tasks. The Airborne Public Safety Association (APSA), formerly known as the Airborne Law Enforcement Association, has many resources including Recommended Standards for Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations. The association also has a monthly user group meeting addressing current regulatory changes and issues.

DO YOU HAVE A BEST PRACTICE YOU WANT TO TAKE CREDIT FOR IT; SHARE YOUR STORY HERE!

SAFETYSAFETY CANCER - WASH IT AWAY!CANCER - WASH IT AWAY!

Sawkill firefighter hospitalized after engine battery explodes A Sawkill Fire Department firefighter is expected to make a full recovery after he inhaled toxic fumes after a fire engine battery exploded at the fire station at 896 Sawkill Road, according to department chief David Hoffman. Hoffman said 35-year-old Captain Mike Williams was starting a fire truck inside the fire station at 10:45 a.m. Saturday as firefighters were preparing to go to the Ulster County Volunteer Firefighters Association Parade in the town of Ulster when the battery exploded, sparking a fire. Williams inhaled the fumes from the explosion and he was airlifted to Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla in critical condition, Hoffman said. Hoffman said the fire was quickly put out. Firefighters from the city of Kingston hazardous materials team were called in to assist with containing and cleaning up the battery acid.

NYS FIRE-FIGHTER DEATHS NYS FIRE-FIGHTER DEATHS Correction there have been 5 LODDs New York State and 58 Nationally in 2018.

Keep all of our first responders in our great nation, their families and their extended families in your thoughts and prayers. Pray that your agency never has a line of duty death.

THE CHIEF’S CORNERTHE CHIEF’S CORNERApparatus accidents, mistakes and bad decisionsInvestigate incidents that damage fire equipment or apparatus before disciplining those involved

By Linda Willing

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In recent years, a number of fire departments have started taking a hard line on workplace accidents. Some departments impose discipline from formal reprimands to unpaid time off when apparatus drivers incur damages to vehicles under their control.

Is it appropriate to impose these kinds of sanctions on a driver when an accident occurs? Some fire department leaders clearly believe it is – if damage is done, then someone must be held accountable. Others disagree, citing the unpredictable working environment of the fire service and the fact that minor vehicle mishaps have always been part of the job.

One of the problems with coming to a consensus on this issue is the fact that the term “accident” is often used for anything that may occur which involves damage to the vehicle.

Having a poorly trained driver make a mistake that leads to damage is a very different situation than one in which the driver is consciously driving too fast for the terrain, who is distracted or who is even showing off when the damage occurred.

The word accident implies that something just happens that is largely outside of anyone’s control. “Accidents happen,” people say, although others argue that every accident is ultimately preventable. Which of these approaches is true?

In a class I teach called “Accidents, Mistakes and Bad Decisions,” one of the slides shows an enormous boulder that has rolled down a mountainside and crashed into a house. Was this incident preventable? One might argue that the builder was negligent in constructing the house on a slope where a rock might come loose. On the other hand, the house had been there for several hundred years before the rock smashed into it.

RESPONSIBILITY VERSUS ACCOUNTABILITY

In the fire service, sometimes accidents just happen. I remember one time when my crew was out all night responding to calls due to hurricane-force winds. As we considered how to evacuate a three-story building where parts of the roof were coming loose, the wind suddenly shifted and tore off a large section of roof that came flying right toward us and our rig. The three of us managed to escape injury, but all of the ground ladders on the side of the engine were damaged.

It would have been crazy to hold the engineer responsible for the outcome that night. He did everything he was supposed to do, but the combination of a hazardous condition and bad luck resulted in costly damage.

Most damages to vehicles are preventable, and when those damages result from repeated mistakes or conscious bad decisions, then there must be some accountability. Where that accountability should lie is a different question.

For example, consider a situation where a driver cuts a corner too tightly and clips a parked car. Who should be accountable for that event?

Obviously, drivers are responsible for their actions. But what if that driver was poorly trained and ordered to drive the rig before feeling completely confident in doing so? In that case, shouldn’t those responsible for training and assigning that person to the role also have some accountability for the outcome?

Having a poorly trained driver make a mistake that leads to damage is a very different situation than one in which the driver is consciously driving too fast for the terrain, who is distracted or who is even showing off when the damage occurred.

APPARATUS DAMAGE ACCOUNTABILITY

To have a policy where every incident that results in damages to fire apparatus leads to identical disciplinary action seems misguided.

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When people make conscious bad decisions or are reckless in their actions, then progressive discipline is warranted.

But if someone has made a mistake with the best intentions and efforts, imposing the same discipline might be counterproductive. Fire service leaders should want people to own up to their honest mistakes and learn from them. If mistakes only result in harsh discipline, members are more likely to try to hide their mistakes rather than admitting them and offering them as an opportunity for everyone to learn to do better.

When negative outcomes occur – damage to apparatus or equipment, injury to a firefighter – it is in everyone’s best interests to take the time to investigate and understand, rather than just react.

People are responsible for their actions. But sometimes a number of people contribute to an incident that may be blamed on just one. Sometimes the system itself is flawed and needs to be changed, something that cannot happen if every negative outcome is treated as a personal failure. And sometimes, accidents do just happen.

DESIGNING BUILDINGS OR APPARATUSDESIGNING BUILDINGS OR APPARATUS

Prove How I Didn’t Meet Your Specs!By Bill Adams

Evaluating proposals for a new fire truck can be a challenging experience when purchasing specifications (specs) are vague and ambiguous. The task can be overwhelming when each party involved has a different interpretation of a purchaser’s written requirements. There are two venues where compliance to specification requirements is evaluated. The first is in an unregulated purchasing environment where the rules of law are not applicable. It is a scenario where an independent entity such as a volunteer fire company can purchase what it wants from who it wants with no legal means of recourse available for unsuccessful bidders. It’s like the wild west. Anything goes; there’s no real accountability. The other is in a political subdivision where established governmental rules and regulations must or should be followed such as in cities, towns and fire districts. Whether they are or not followed is a topic for another day and are not addressed here.

Purchasing specifications are broken into two parts. One is the technical nuts-and-bolts portion, which involves the physical construction and firematic particulars of the apparatus itself. That portion will be addressed in a later posting. The second part, known as the boiler plate or front sheets, includes the qualifications of bidders; service requirements; bidding criteria; and, when applicable, all the legal mumble-jumble lawyers mandate is necessary when bidding. I have nothing against the legal profession. Mumble-jumble is my term for legalese—most of which I don’t understand.What can be frustrating to many bidders in the regulated bidding environment is trying to interpret what a purchaser actually wants while simultaneously not giving the store away by proposing more than what is required and possibly by disqualifying themselves by taking an unnecessary exception to the specifications. The below requirements are from municipal purchasing specifications found online.“A qualified delivery representative shall deliver the apparatus and remain for a sufficient length of time to instruct personnel in proper operation, care and maintenance of the equipment delivered.” Bidder A uses a professional, bonded, and insured commercial drive-away service to physically deliver the apparatus. A direct factory or dealer employee then does the actual training. Bidder A says he met the specs. But, should he legally have taken an exception to the specification? By the way, what constitutes “a sufficient length of time” for training? If Bidder A stipulates two days of training will be provided, can the purchaser reject the bid because two other bidders proposed three days of training?“The bidder/dealership shall show that the company is in position to render prompt service and to furnish replacement parts.” Bidder B said he met the specs. His company contracts with a local full-service fire apparatus repair shop to provide service. Can the purchaser reject Bidder B’s proposal because they really wanted, but didn’t actually say they wanted, a bidder-owned service facility? What is prompt service—24 hours, a day, or within the week? Does being in position to furnish replacement parts means certain parts or a dollar volume of parts must be in stock? Or can you just own a fax machine to send in a parts order?

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“Each bidder must provide with bid proof of dealer-owned-and-operated service facility located within the State along with factory-trained service personnel. Service personnel shall be factory-trained to handle parts and warranty repair for their respective manufacturer. In addition, local service facility must have the capability to dispatch factory-trained service technicians with dealer-operated mobile service units location for field service repairs.” Factory-trained to handle parts and warranty repair for their respective manufacturer? Does the repairman have to be factory-trained to repair an Elkhart valve, an Akron deluge set, a Task Force Tips nozzle, a Hannay reel, a Ziamatic ladder rack, or a Command light tower, etc.?“There shall be one (1) class held at the Fire Department by a factory certified trainer. The class shall consist of basic orientation of the apparatus and shall last approximately 3 hours. The class shall cover basic operations of cab, chassis, pump, aerial, and body components that are included on the new apparatus.” Bidder E said he met the specs. However, other bidders complained that despite the trainer being employed by Bidder E as a delivery engineer for 25 years, he does not physically possess a letter of certification from the factory. Did Bidder E meet the specs or should it have taken an exception? Is there a better way to describe a repairman’s qualifications?“Bids will be evaluated using the following criteria:

Cost of bid. Compliance with our specifications. Delivery Date. Availability of parts and service. Operation and maintenance cost of equipment. Life cycle cost of equal equipment. Performance of equipment in actual operating conditions. Prior experience with vendor and their product.”

Most bidders will say they meet all these requirements. The first four are obvious and provable. How can a bidder claim compliance with the last four? If the purchaser does not specify what those four requirements are, how can a bidder claim compliance and more so, how can a purchaser evaluate responses? Purchasers have to define their requirements. If a requirement isn’t in writing, it does not exist, and it can’t be evaluated. Say what you mean in plain English. Explain it so everyone knows what you want. Be fair to the bidders if you want them to be fair with you.

THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT & FAQSTHE LEGAL DEPARTMENT & FAQS

Fatal Illinois blaze draws attention to fire aid agreements A recent fatal house fire in Bartonville drew attention to a little known but vital system of inter-agency agreements that help firefighters get help when they need it. Mutual aid is nothing new. Most people know that if a fire is too big, a department will call in reinforcements or backups. But how those additional resources are called and in what order remains a mystery to most people not involved in firefighting. The fire on July 17 that cost a 4-year-old boy his life has been controversial, with some questioning why volunteer firefighters in the Bartonville department didn't immediately call Peoria's fire department. The city's southernmost station is about five to six minutes from where the fire was, and is staffed 24 hours day. An informal survey of five volunteer fire chiefs and Peoria's fire chief revealed that they generally thought the county's system for mutual aid worked well in most cases. [Editorial - Plausible deniability works great until it doesn’t. or until it gets questioned.]

NYS Volunteer FF Cancer Benefit Program UpdateThe New York State Volunteer Firefighter Trust would like to keep you up to date on the new Volunteer Firefighter Cancer Benefit Program. This program is endorsed by NYSAFC, FASNY and AFDSNY and is designed to ensure the highest quality service for firefighters who contract cancer at the lowest possible cost. General information and frequently asked questions about NYS General Municipal Law Section 205-CC and the program have been made available on the Association of Fire District’s web site at: https://www.afdsny.org/resources.php Additional information will be sent to our members when the NYS Department of Financial Services gives final approval to the program in the next few weeks. We hope this information is helpful to you and your department.If you have any further questions, please forward them by email to NYSVFB or call (833) 678-1585 (toll free)

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Delaware LODD Prompts Suit Over Non-Locking Carabiner

The estate of a Delaware firefighter killed in a helicopter training exercise in 2016 has filed suit against the companies that sold the harness system he was wearing when he fell to his death.

Timothy McClanahan died on July 11, 2016 when he fell about 100 feet from a Delaware State Police helicopter during a hoist training exercise. The safety harness that connected him to the helicopter relied upon a non-locking carabineer that reportedly allowed him to become detached. McClanahan was a firefighter with the Lewes Fire Department and served with the Delaware Air Rescue Team (DART) that assists the Delaware State Police with rescue related activities. He was 46 at the time of his death and the father of two children. The suit was filed in Delaware Superior Count on July 2, 2018 and names several interrelated companies that recommended and sold the harness systems to the State of Delaware and provided consulting and training services.

Review the regulations from OFPC related to the FF Cancer Benefit Program here:http://afdca.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/vfcancerbenefits-3.pdf

The public (that means you) comment period will be open from June 20th until August 19th, now is your chance to weigh in. Read the regulations carefully!!

FAQ 19-6 The Fire District would like to give items of appreciation to our Officers and responders at our annual inspection dinner, is this permissible?

Section 176-d. authorizes an annual appropriation from a fire district budget to fund an annual firefighter’s inspection dinner for each fire company within the fire district. Inexpensive awards and plaques to be presented to firefighters may be purchased as an expense incidental to the awards dinner. Cash, checks or gift cards with a monetary value as “appreciation gifts” would not be appropriate.

There are 20 Complete Editions of FAQs on the State Association Web Page - - www.afdsny.orgYou must have a log in under the Member Center to access the FAQs, any member of a dues paying fire district can obtain an individual log on account, just

request it through the web page.

Disclaimer: The legal opinions published here by the Association of Fire Districts are meant to provide guidance for fire district commissioners. The materials available are for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. The opinions expressed are the opinions of the individual author at the time the facts were presented and based on the law then applicable. The information contained in these opinions is not guaranteed to be up to date. The information provided is not legal advice. Since legal advice must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case, and laws are constantly changing, nothing on this site should be used as a substitute for the advice of competent legal counsel. The authors assume no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained herein and disclaim all liability in respect to such information. You should not act upon information in this publication without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted to practice in your jurisdiction.

BUILDING AND FIRE CODE STUFFBUILDING AND FIRE CODE STUFF::

In just 11 days, four major fires have drawn the nation's attention to the dangers associated with older residential properties that do not have fire sprinkler systems. The fires included three in apartment buildings and one in an extended living hotel. Although the incidents all involved low-rise buildings, the fires spread quickly, trapping many occupants on upper floors and forcing many of the survivors to jump from windows in desperate attempts to stay alive.Three of the fires involved multiple fatalities; five lives were lost in an off-campus apartment fire in San Marcos, Texas, two were lost in a Westminster, Colorado apartment fire, and six were lost in a Berrien County, Michigan hotel, five of which were children. A student who survived the Texas incident remains in the hospital with 3rd degree burns over 70% of his body. Officials believe that the fourth fire, which destroyed an apartment building in Prospect Heights, Illinois, would also have involved fatalities if the fire had occurred at night.Because these buildings all lacked fire sprinklers, they were engulfed in fire before the fire department arrived, endangering not only occupants, but firefighters as well.

Fire Deaths in 1 & 2 Family Dwellings without Sprinklers

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In New York – 59 to date [average 2 victims per week]Male 39, West Babylon, NY – Suffolk Co.

In the US – 1006 to date [average 32 victims per week]IN 2017 There were 1428 residential fire deaths in 1 & 2 family dwellings nationally.

In New York State 74 friends, neighbors and relatives perished in fires in 1 & 2 family dwellings

FINANCIALLY SPEAKINGFINANCIALLY SPEAKING

Release Date: 08/03/2018Audit Name: Brewster-Southeast Joint Fire District, Putnam County Recordkeeping and Procurement (Fire)Report: https://www.osc.state.ny.us/localgov/audits/firedists/2018/brewster-southeast-joint-district.htmSummary:The Treasurer did not maintain accurate accounting records. As a result, the accounting records were not accurate as of December 31, 2017. Cash accounts were incorrectly recorded, the operating bank account balance was understated by more than $377,000 and the capital reserve balance was overstated by $200,790. In addition, 44 general ledger accounts (92 percent) did not comply with the Office of the State Comptroller's (OSC) uniform system of accounts for fire districts. Finally, District officials did not always solicit competition when procuring professional servicesKey Recommendations Ensure that cash and other accounts are accurately reconciled and recorded in a timely manner. Update financial records and reports to conform to OSC’s uniform system. Ensure budgets are properly presented using OSC’s uniform system and accurate budget amounts. Consider revising the procurement policy to require soliciting competition before awarding professional

service contracts.

Getting ready for Budget time, see the calendar at the end of this Bulletin.

14Association of Fire Districts-Capital Area

CAPITAL AREA 2018CAPITAL AREA 2018 BUSINESS PARTNER’S BUSINESS PARTNER’S2018 APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE WWW.AFDCA.ORG

We appreciate your support!!The Association of Fire Districts – Capital Area would like to welcome our business partners for 2018. We will provide them exposure here and

will provide space for them to provide educational commentary to help you do your job and make good decisions.Please Support Those Who Support Us!!

15Association of Fire Districts-Capital Area

Mitchell Associates Architects518-765-4571

Specializing in Fire Stationswww.mitchell-architects.com

Complete Line of Insurance Products Ken Andrews, Marketing Coordinator

VFIS of New York 888-834-7691

www.hubbinettecowell.com

WE INVITE OUR BUSINESS PARTNERS TO SUBMIT

EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN THIS BULLETIN FOR DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS

AND CHIEF OFFICERS Write me at tom@rinaldi1.com

Glatfelter Brokerage Services56 Clifton Country Rd, Suite 205, Clifton Park, NY 12065 800.833.8822 x6982http:/gbsnewyork.com

VFBL Insurances Services

Hubbinette-Cowell Associates, Inc

Frank & Sons Body Works

518-346-8119Expert Fire Truck Repair

www.frankandsonsbodyworks.com

518-783-6933www.penflexinc.com

Ducharme, Clark & Sovern, LLPJohn W. (Jack) Clark

Maj. General, USAF (Ret.)10 Maxwell Dr.,Suite 205

Clifton Park, NY 12065518-373-1482phone 518-373-8758telefax

518-391-9063celljwclark@nycap.rr.com

www.Ducharmeclark.com

C.T. Male AssociatesEngineering, Surveying Architecture

Latham, NY518-786-7400

www.ctmale.com

98B Troy RoadEast Greenbush, NY 12061518-479-2004www.dignuminc

Specializing in insurance for Fire Districts and Departments

Dave Meager31 Church Street Saratoga Springs, NY

518-584-5300x3243 dmeager@amsureins.com

2288 5th Avenue Troy, NY 12180518-274-7888

www.blannequipment.com

Fire Districts MutualInsurance

777 Chestnut Ridge RoadSuite 302

Chestnut Ridge NY 109771-888-314-3004

www.fdmny.com

518-842-2123106 Hannaford Plaza

Amsterdam, NY 12010www.NBTBank.com

John Lesniewski

FIRE SERVICE SAFETY TESTINGLife safety equipment and

ground ladder testing1-866-788-7373

www.testladders.com

518-459-849226 Computer DriveAlbany, NY 12205www.bstco.com

2388 Route 9 in Malta518-886-5412

Firefighter Physicals –Medical Screening

HANNIGAN LAW FIRM PLLC388 Kenwood Avenue

Delmar, New York 12054P: (518) 869-9911F: (518) 869-9915www.hannigan.pro

All Type Professional Door Service

405 N Pearl Street, Albany NY 12207518-463-1333 - Fire Station Doors

Repaired/Installedinfo@alltyoedoorsny.com

444 Washington St., Rensselaer, NY 12144518.444.2044

Monolithsolar.com

Duane Shoen Shoen, Account ExecutivePhone: (518) 250-5502 x3910Mobile: (518) 410-9711Email: duane.shoen@tbs.toshiba.com15 Cornell Road, Latham, NY 12110

David Farstad, Municipal Banking Officer652 Albany-Shaker Road, Albany NY 12211

P/F: 518-730-3120M: 518-506-0075

farstadd@pioneerbanking.com

This space is waiting for Your Company to become a Business Partner!!We are delighted to see these businesses who have partnered with the Capital Area Association and this message is for you! It’s not just about paying a membership and advertising. If you have information which is educational or informative for fire districts please submit it and we will use it in this Bulletin under the appropriate heading. We are inviting you to be a full partner and impart your knowledge to all of those who read this newsletter each week. Explain something, define something, educate us on a standard that you deal with, explain how something works, we have over 1000 readers who want to know.

16Association of Fire Districts-Capital Area

Architects & Engineers3 Lear Jet Lane, Suite 205

Latham, NY 12110518-765-5105

Dennis Ross, Dir of Emergency Services Marketwww.H2M.com

Haughey Insurance Agency

850 State Route 50Burnt Hills, NY 12027

518-399-1583www.haugheyagency.com

Safety First Equipment Testing99 Glass Lake Road

Averill Park, NY 12018518-674-8363

www.safetyfirstfirehose.com

518-785-0299www.marvincpa.com

646 Plank Road, Suite 200Clifton Park, NY 12065

518.300.1126www.mytechsinc.comManaged IT Support

Information Security Solutions

HANNIGAN LAW FIRM PLLC388 Kenwood Avenue

Delmar, New York 12054P: (518) 869-9911F: (518) 869-9915www.hannigan.pro

Fire/EMS –Municipal Law

Young, Fenton, Kelsey & Brown, PC

General Practice Matters plus -Fire Service Attorneys

1881 Western Ave. Suite 140Albany, N.Y. 12203

518.456.6767

518-432-5087www.thelosapgroup.com,

518.459.670026 Computer Drive West

Albany, NY 12205www.bstco.com

Brendan Kennedy ext 356518-842-2123106 Hannaford Plaza

Amsterdam, NY 12010www.NBTBank.com

John Lesniewski

CLASSIFIED SECTIONCLASSIFIED SECTION

Get rid of surplused equipment here!!

BE PREPARED, CHANGE IS COMINGBE PREPARED, CHANGE IS COMING

New York City mulls new sirens on emergency vehicles to curb noise Where there's a wail, there's a way. City Hall has been quietly reviewing whether to change the sirens used by emergency vehicles as part of a wider noise pollution reduction effort that's expected to be announced as early as the fall. That includes possibly trading in the "whoop-whoop" siren that's common in many police cars and ambulances for the gentler European rendition that's more akin to an "Eeh-aw" sound. "One of the things we need to look at is the way the sirens are set and how they're used. The actual physical tone of the sirens – it needs to be effective obviously to save lives, but there's different kinds of sirens around the world that are equally effective and some affront people a lot less," the mayor said on WNYC radio Friday. "We're looking at that right now." [you can’t make this shit up!]

Report: Canandaigua wrestles with manpower problems at fire stations Leaders of the City of Canandaigua and the Town of Canandaigua planned to wrestle with the implications of an intense report on manpower problems at the Canandaigua Fire Department at a special meeting Tuesday night. The "Fire Operational and Analysis Report" prepared by the Center for Public Safety Management in Washington cautions that the department, which uses a combination of paid professional and volunteer firefighters, doesn't have enough of either. It warns that the maintenance of Canandaigua's two fire stations, each with only one full-time staff firefighter, "presents a false sense of security regarding the level of fire protection available, and compromises firefighter safety." Fire Chief Frank Magnera agreed. "There is a shortage out there," he warned. "And there is a false sense that 'since there's a fire department there on the corner, there are a million firefighters ready and trained to help.'"

Volunteer Shortage Causes Move of Maryland FirefightersIt has set off alarms for Harford County residents: a fire station without firefighters. The Joppa-Magnolia Volunteer Fire Company responds to an average of 10-20 calls a day, from three stations, but changes are coming. Firefighters will no longer be based out of the Trimble Road Station. "We decided to move the personnel out to the other stations to staff the other firehouses," Chief Bill VanArsdale said. The 18 members were moved to either the Old Mountain Road and Hanson Road stations for more efficient emergency responses. Trimble Road will still house equipment. See the story here: https://youtu.be/qJgvU-bxLvc

DID YOU KNOW?DID YOU KNOW?

“Mosquitoes, summer’s pest, have been around for more than 30 million years.”So you think you are going to solve the problem??

The Capital Bulletin is reaching well over 400+ fire district members and now other members of the fire service weekly, which does not include an unknown number of people that it is subsequently shared with by you!

We have recently added the Central Region to the distribution list.

Membership in The Association of Fire Districts of the Capital AreaWould you like to join the Association of Fire Districts of the Capital Area and join 75 members in 8 counties? Both fire protection districts and

Village departments are eligible for membership.The yearly membership dues (January 1st to December 31st) shall be as follows and shall be based on the annual budget of the Fire

District/Organization;Districts/Organizations with budgets less than $300,000 $100.00 annually Districts/Organizations with budgets more than $300,000 $150.00 annuallyAssociate Members $50.00 annually

17Association of Fire Districts-Capital Area

Business Partners $100.00 annually

Fire District Calendar for 2018August 9th–12th are the dates for the FASNY Convention September 25th is deadline for the Board to adopt the Proposed Budget for 2019 and Estimate of Fund Balances. September 28th last day for Fire Commissioner elected on December 12, 2017 and commencing office on January 1, 2018 to complete mandatory Fire Commissioner training October 10th last day to adopt resolution to permit absentee ballots for Annual Fire District Election October 10th - 14th are the dates for the AFDSNY Annual Workshop in Saratoga Springs October 16th is date for Annual Budget Hearing October 18th target date for Board to adopt resolutions for the Annual Fire District Election November 4th deadline for Board to adopt Final Budget for 2019 November 7th deadline for Secretary to file the Final Budget for 2019 with Clerk of Town(s) November 7th – November 14th window of time to publish Annual Fire District Election NoticesNovember 19th last day for residents to register to vote in the Annual Fire District Election November 21st deadline for candidates to submit election petitions December 11th Annual Fire District Election December 14th File Certificate of Canvass of Election at Town Clerk(s) Office(s).

[NOT A COMPLETE LISTING OF EVERYTHING THAT MIGHT BE INCLUDED]

THE 2018 FIRE DISTRICT BUDGET PROCESS

On or before September 25th L 2018Required Actions

1. Adopt proposed budget for 2019, including fund balance estimate for 2018 (Town Law [“TL”] §181[2]).2. File budget with fire district secretary (TL§181[3]).3. Post budget on fire district’s website (if district maintains as website) (TL§181[3]).4. Provide copy of proposed budget for 2019, including fund balance estimate for 2018 to town clerk of towns in

which district is located. (no statutory reference, but best practice)

September 26th ; October 1st 2018Required Actions

1. Post notice of budget hearing on fire district website and signboard (if district maintains a website/signboard) (TL§175-c[1]).

2. Provide copy of notice of budget hearing to town clerk of towns in which district is located. (Each town clerk must post the notice on their town’s website and on clerk’s bulletin board and town signboard)(TL§175-c[2]).

3. Provide copy of notice of budget hearing to town clerk of towns and secretaries of fire districts with which district contracts. (Each town clerk and fire district secretary receiving notice must post it on the town or district website; town clerks must also post the notice on clerk’s bulletin board and town signboard) (TL§175c-[2]).

2018 DateOn or before October 11th 2018

Required Actions1. Publish notice of budget hearing in official newspaper or, if not official newspaper, in newspaper having general

circulation in district, and publicly post notice (TL§181[3][a]).2. Post published notice on fire district’s website (if district maintains a website)(TL§181[3][a]).3. Provide copy of proposed budget for public inspection to town clerk of towns in which district is located [see

September 25th tasks stated above] (TL§181[3][a]).4. Provide copy of published notice to town clerk of towns in which district is located (Each town clerk must post

the notice on the town’s website and on the town signboard) (TL§181[3][a]).

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5. After adopting proposed budget complete tax cap levy form for New York Comptroller’s Office and “save” but do not submit. Determine if proposed budget will exceed tax cap (GML§ 3-c(3))

October 16th 2018Required Action

Hold budget hearing (TL§181[3][a]).

October 17st ; November 3rd 2018Required Actions

1. Subject to certain restrictions, make changes, alternations and revisions to proposed budget (TL§181[3][b]).2. Before adopting Fire District Annual Budget determine if the tax levy will exceed tax levy cap and if so the Fire

District must pass a resolution by a 60% vote of its board to override the tax cap (GML§ 3-c(5))

On or before November 4th 2018Required Actions

1. Before adopting Fire District Annual Budget and after passing any resolutions necessary to override the tax cap levy “submit” the Fire District budget/ tax cap form to the New York State Comptroller’s Office on the form prescribed by them. (GML3-c(7))

2. Adopt fire district annual budget (TL§181[3][b]).

On or before November 7th 2018Required Action

1. Fire district secretary delivers two (2) certified copies of fire district annual budget to town clerk of towns in which district is located (TL§181[3][c]) and obtains receipt.

19Association of Fire Districts-Capital Area