Law may require firefighters to buckle up

Volunteer firefighters who are now exempt from fastening their seat belts when responding to an emergency will have to buckle up if a new law sponsored by state lawmakers passes.

The proposed law would apply to ambulance workers as well, with an exception for those in the back of the vehicle caring for patients.

The bill is backed by most volunteer firefighters associations, including the Firemen's Association of the State of New York.

It was not clear Wednesday whether the resolution, introduced on April 20 by Assemb. Fred Thiele (I-Sag Harbor) and state Sen. John Flanagan (R-East Northport), will be passed before the session ends Monday. But Flanagan's aides say it is a priority for the senator, and Thiele, his office said, will meet soon with the head of the transportation committee to discuss it.

"This legislation, which was introduced at the request of leaders in the volunteer firefighting community, will enhance their safety by requiring them to utilize the same safety equipment they would surely recommend to the general public," Flanagan said.

The current law is antiquated, FASNY officials say, and stems from a time when firefighters hung on to straps in the back of trucks. Since then, fire truck engineering has made it more practical for volunteers to buckle up even with the bulky gear on.

Wantagh Fire District Commissioner Craig Craft said no truck there moves until all firefighters are seated and buckled. "There's been numerous accidents [nationally], where people have been ejected from fire apparatus," he said.

In 2010, 11 firefighters died in vehicles nationally, and five of those were responding to emergencies, according to the website of the National Fire Protection Association. It's the second leading cause of firefighter deaths, said the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.

"If they can't save themselves, then they aren't going to save anyone else," said FASNY president David Jacobowitz.

Seat belt rules are already in place for emergency responders in New York City.