|
|
 |
|
|
Loan Amounts Would Be Increased For the First Time
Monday, May 10, 2004
Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno announced today that the New York State Senate passed legislation that would increase the amounts that can be borrowed from the state�s emergency services revolving loan fund for the purchase of fire and rescue vehicles and equipment. It would be the first increase in loan amounts since the loan fund was established in 1994. In addition, the bill would enable funds to be used for the construction of live fire training facilities.
"This legislation would create greater flexibility to deal with the needs of less advantaged communities in a way that more fairly respects the needs and limitations of those localities and the courageous men and women who protect and serve them," Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno said. "The Senate fought for many years to create and maintain the emergency services revolving loan fund and it�s important that we keep it updated to ensure that it meets the needs of emergency personnel and the communities that depend on them."
"The amounts that fire companies and municipalities can borrow from the revolving loan fund have not been increased since the fund was created 10 years ago, but the cost of the vehicles and equipment continues to rise," said Senator Seward, who sponsors the legislation. "Many fire and ambulance departments need additional borrowing capacity to maintain or improve their current equipment and facilities to continue to provide high levels of service and protection to their communities."
"The low-interest revolving loan fund has been a tremendous success and has helped many smaller and needy fire departments afford vehicles and equipment," Jim Williams, past President of the Fire Association of the State of New York, said. "This legislation would give the loan program a much-needed boost in the amount they can borrow, which is necessary to be able to afford the cost of equipment which has increased greatly in the last 10 years."
Williams noted that in the history of the program there have been no defaults on any loan issued from the revolving fund.
The bill (S.6314) would increase the maximum amount that can be borrowed for the purchase or repair of firefighting and rescue vehicles and equipment and the buildings that house them.
In addition, this bill would, for the first time, allow loan funds to be used to cover the cost of building live fire training facilities. Up to $150,000, or 75 percent of the costs of construction, could be borrowed to build a live fire training facility.
This legislation would increase the maximum amount a municipality or volunteer fire department could borrow for the following:
> For the purchase of a fire truck from $150,000 to $225,000 or 75 percent of the cost of firefighting apparatus, whichever is less;
> For the purchase of an ambulance or rescue vehicle from $100,000 to $150,000 or 75 percent of the cost of the ambulance or rescue vehicle, whichever is less;
> For the purchase of protective equipment or communications equipment from $50,000 to $100,000;
> For repairing or rehabilitating fire fighting apparatus, ambulances, or rescue vehicles from $50,000 to $75,000 or the entire cost of the repair, whichever is less;
> The purchase of accessory equipment, from $50,000 to $75,000.
> Renovating, rehabilitating or repairing facilities that house firefighting equipment, ambulances, rescue vehicles and related equipment from $100,000 to $150,000, not to exceed 75 percent of the cost.
> Construction costs associated with the establishment of facilities that house firefighting equipment, ambulances, rescue vehicles and equipment from $200,000 to $300,000 or seventy-five percent of the cost of the construction and can be used for planning, design and land acquisition.
The bill was sent to the Assembly.
[BIOGRAPHY] [DISTRICT MAP] [PHOTO GALLERY] [LEGISLATION] [CONSTITUENT SERVICES] [YOUR OPINION COUNTS] [GUESTBOOK] [PRIVACY POLICY] [SENATE INSIDER] [CONTACT INFO] [HOME/NEWS]