Volunteer Firefighters Save State $3 Billion, Says Study

Volunteer firefighters save taxpayers in New York State more than $3 billion annually, according to a financial impact study by the Firemen's Association of the State of New York (FASNY).

Yorktown's Volunteer Firefighters accompany Santa for a visit.
Photo Credit: *Yorktown Fire*

Frank Mojica

02/06/2016 11:00 a.m.

The financial impact report found that the state's nearly 100,000 volunteer firefighters saved New York $3.87 billion annually in salary, benefits and potential debt service.

An all-paid fire service would increase property taxes by an average of 26.5 percent to cover the cost, according to the report.

The report also found that an all-paid fire service would require the construction of more than 1,300 stations, the hiring of an additional 30,822 firefighters and a one-time cost of $5.95 billion to acquire existing structures, vehicles and equipment.

Click here to read FASNY's economic study.

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