N.Y. Governor signs law requiring background checks for volunteer firefighters

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a new law earlier this month, under which new volunteer firefighters in the state will undergo criminal background checks to prevent sex offenders from working with vulnerable residents. Current volunteer firefighters may also be screened — and let go — if they have certain types of convictions on their records. Those convictions can include any type of sexual offense, and also offenses such as arson and violent crimes. Those who have been convicted of arson were already banned from working as volunteer firefighters in New York, but until now, it was not illegal for sex offenders to volunteer. This legislation was first introduced in 2005, but took a long time to maneuver through the legislative process, according to Ken Pienkowski, the Second Vice President of the Fireman’s Association of the State of New York. Many firefighters across New York were surprised to learn that sex offenders were not already banned from working in fire departments. Not only do volunteer firefighters come to people’s homes on fire or medical calls, but they also go to area schools for career days, fire safety workshops and emergency-preparedness training. “We go to seminars with kids, we go to schools and do training with them like ‘Stop, Drop and Roll,’” said John Fall, President of the Solvay Fire Department. “It just never occurred to us there wasn’t a law in place. … It’s something that should’ve been implemented many years ago.” FASNY was also concerned that many of the people who require assistance from firefighters are vulnerable residents, such as children and the elderly. The organization has expressed its pleasure at the implementation of the new law. Now, all volunteer fire chiefs will require new volunteer applicants to be screened for a criminal record and sex offense convictions. New applicants can be denied a position based on the results of that screening. Existing volunteers may also be removed from their current roles if background checks determine they have a criminal record as a sex offender. photo credit: Matthew Rice via photopin cc]]>