NY A09147

Authorizes counties, cities, towns, and villages wholly or partially within the Adirondack Park to establish special districts for financing and operating general ambulance services, either individually or jointly, using procedures for fire district establishment under Town Law Articles 11 and 11-A.

Requires any county, city, town, or village that establishes or participates in a joint ambulance district to dissolve and abolish any preexisting local district serving the same jurisdiction.

Mandates the Commissioner of Health, in consultation with the State Office of Fire Prevention and Control, to prepare and publish a report by January 1, 2023 on volunteer firefighter and ambulance services staffing challenges in New York State, with particular focus on rural and geographically challenging areas.

Requires the report to include recommendations on addressing identified staffing challenges and issues, to be submitted to the Governor, legislative leaders, and relevant committee chairs.

Takes effect immediately upon enactment.