APRIL 6, 2009

COUNTY LEGISLATOR WROBLEWSKI LEADS LEGISLATURE IN SUPPORTING VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS LICENSE RULE

Erie County Legislator Timothy M. Wroblewski (D-West Seneca, South Cheektowaga) led the Erie County Legislature in requesting the New York State Legislature to approve bills that would allow for a commercial driver's license exemption for volunteer fire company personnel at its April 2 session.

"The action the County Legislature approved helps iron out confusion the State Legislature caused in 2005. The Department of Motor Vehicles issued an opinion on this, basically stating that volunteer fire company personnel could drive their firefighting apparatus to an emergency, but could not drive it back to the firehouse without a commercial driver's license," Legislator Wroblewski said. "This was certainly not the intent of the state legislators when they included the interpreted language in the New York State Transportation Bond Act of 2005."

"The federal government's intent is to allow states to grant exceptions to volunteer organizations for the operation of their vehicle without the threat of conflict with federal statues, or funding streams," Legislator Wroblewski added. "The federal government has also told the state DMV that the exemption from the commercial driver's license requirement in place prior to the Transportation Bond Act's passage would not endanger highway funds."

The resolution approved also supports pending state legislation in the Senate and Assembly that will correct this situation by allowing for such an exemption for volunteer fire service.

"I am pleased that the County Legislature joined me in voting to provide the leadership to help gain support for this action to support our hard working, dedicated volunteer firefighting personnel," Legislator Wroblewski concluded. "For all that they give to the community, they should not have to work under this kind of administrative burden."

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