Governor Kathy Hochul today unveiled a series of proposals aimed at protecting first responders, expanding resources for training and recruitment and supporting veterans and victims of crime as part of her 2025 State of the State. The Governor proposed new initiatives to increase the number of first responders serving our communities and supporting them with training and mental health resources.
LAUNCHING A FIRST RESPONDER COUNSELING SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
First responders face unique mental health challenges, but a shortage of counselors familiar with the responder community creates gaps in care. Financial barriers often deter first responders from pursuing counseling degrees, limiting the availability of culturally competent mental health professionals. To address this, Governor Hochul will launch the First Responder Counseling Scholarship Program through the State University of New York (SUNY). This initiative will support first responders pursuing counseling degrees and offer micro-credentials in areas like trauma-informed care and peer support leadership. In return for scholarship support, recipients will commit to serving as counselors in New York State, creating a sustainable pipeline of mental health professionals uniquely equipped to support the responder community.
SECURING ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR VOLUNTEER FIRE INFRASTRUCTURE AND RESPONSE EQUIPMENT GRANT PROGRAM
Volunteer fire services protect over 45 percent of New Yorkers, yet many departments lack the tools and infrastructure required for modern firefighting. Outdated equipment and aging facilities put both firefighter safety and operational readiness at risk. Governor Hochul will secure additional funding for the V-FIRE grant program, allowing departments to renovate or construct compliant fire stations equipped to meet the needs of a diversifying workforce.
KEEPING FIREFIGHTERS SAFE WITH BETTER PROTECTIVE GEAR
Our brave firefighters selflessly risk their lives to protect our communities, facing immense heat and hazardous conditions. To safeguard these heroes, they rely on specialized protective gear designed to withstand extreme temperatures and repel water and oil. For years, this essential equipment has unfortunately contained the emerging contaminant per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Evolving evidence has revealed the potential dangers of PFAS exposure, raising concerns about the long-term health and safety of our firefighters even as we continue to work to limit the release of this contaminant into New York’s air, lands and waters. Recognizing the need to protect both our firefighters and the environment, Governor Hochul will introduce legislation to ban the sale of firefighter gear containing PFAS in the state. This measure will help ensure our firefighters have access to the highest quality and safest protective equipment available while mitigating the potential public health and environmental impact of these chemicals. The legislation will take effect in 2028.
DEFINE EMS AS AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE
Governor Hochul will introduce legislation defining EMS as an essential service and requiring counties to ensure all residents have adequate access to these services. Such legislation will also require counties to develop a county EMS mapping that will allow New York to identify and fill gaps in coverage, coordinated statewide by the State EMS Task Force, which was established by Governor Hochul in 2022.
[REMEMBER THIS IS A PIE IN THE SKY WISH LIST THAT NEEDS FUNDING AND SUPPORT BY LEGISLATORS TO BE PASSED IN BOTH THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY CHAMBERS]