CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. — On Wednesday, Assemblymember Monica Wallace (D-Lancaster) and Senator Tim Kennedy (D-Buffalo) announced the passage of legislation (A6746A/S6470) that benefits the Cleveland Hill Fire Department No. 6 Firefighter's Benevolent Association.
The legislation would allow the department to be able to spend spend revenue from foreign fire insurance tax premiums on more things, including maintaining health of firefighters, recruiting and retaining current firefighters. Previously, the station was not able to spend these funds on preventing sickness or growing and maintaining firefighting staff.
“In order to keep enough members in its ranks, the Cleveland Hill Fire Department’s Firefighter’s Benevolent Association needs the ability to use its foreign fire insurance tax revenues to retain and recruit members. Additionally, the Association is seeking to use this revenue to protect the health of its firefighters, which is vital,” Wallace said. “It’s my privilege to have passed this legislation to support the Cleveland Hill Fire Department, and I thank these brave firefighters for their selfless service.”
“It's imperative that we're giving our first responders the financial access to resources and recruitment opportunities that they need in order to keep our communities safe. With this legislation signed into law, the Cleveland Hill Firefighter Benevolent Association will now be better equipped to protect the health of our firefighters, and ultimately fuel the continued exceptional service that Cheektowaga residents expect and appreciate during a time of crisis,” Kennedy said.
