Our Legal Reference Books
Comprehensive legal resources trusted by fire departments and public officers throughout New York State
Three Comprehensive Legal References
Over 2,000 pages of authoritative legal guidance
- CORPORATE COMPLIANCE CHECKLISTpage 1
- THE ANNUAL CHECKLISTpage 4
- OVERVIEW OF THE ORGANIZATIONAL TYPESpage 18
- FORMING AND ALTERING FIRE PROTECTION AND FIRE DISTRICTSpage 24
- FORMING JOINT FIRE DISTRICTS IN TOWNS AND VILLAGESpage 36
- ALTERING BOUNDARIES OF FIRE DISTRICTSpage 39
- CONSOLIDATION OF FIRE DISTRICTSpage 44
- CONSOLIDATION OF FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICTSpage 58
- DISSOLUTION OF FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICTSpage 72
- DISSOLUTION OF FIRE DISTRICTSpage 85
- FIRE DISTRICT BOUNDARIES, MAPS AND BOUNDARY DISPUTESpage 98
- CHANGING THE NAME OF THE FIRE DISTRICTpage 100
- FIRE DISTRICT GOVERNANCEpage 102
- PROHIBITED BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS IN FIRE DISTRICTSpage 126
- FIRE DISTRICT POWERS AND LIMITS OF AUTHORITYpage 132
- FIRE DISTRICT MEETINGS, NOTICES AND RESOLUTIONSpage 147
- FIRE DISTRICT ELECTIONSpage 151
- FIRE DISTRICT FINANCIAL ISSUESpage 179
- THE FIRE DISTRICT BUDGETpage 209
- FIRE DISTRICT TAX ZONESpage 227
- RESERVE FUNDS OF FIRE DISTRICTSpage 233
- FINANCING AND BORROWING BY THE FIRE DISTRICTpage 243
- BIDDING RULES FOR FIRE DISTRICTSpage 253
- PREVAILING WAGESpage 276
- WEBSITES MAINTAINED BY FIRE DISTRICTS AND FIRE COMPANIESpage 289
- FIRE DISTRICT CONTROL OVER THE FIRE DEPARTMENTpage 295
- CONTROL OF “INDEPENDENT” FIRE DEPARTMENTS BY A TOWNpage 318
- FIREHOUSES OWNED BY TOWNSpage 336
- VILLAGE FIRE DEPARTMENTSpage 337
- CITY FIRE DEPARTMENTSpage 361
- CONTRACTS FOR FIRE PROTECTIONpage 368
- CONTRACTS FOR AMBULANCE SERVICESpage 381
- AMBULANCE BILLING FOR FIRE DEPARTMENTSpage 389
- MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES FOR THE MODERN EMERGENCY SERVICE ENTITYpage 398
- BYLAWS OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENTpage 420
- THE NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION LAW AND BYLAW MATTERSpage 426
- THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERSpage 434
- ROLE OF THE FIRE COMPANY SECRETARYpage 454
- MEMBERSHIP ISSUES OF FIRE COMPANIESpage 456
- ADMISSION OF MEMBERSpage 467
- ASSISTANCE PROVIDED BY FIREFIGHTERSpage 484
- SPECIALIZED TEAMS FOR SEARCH AND RESCUE OF VICTIMSpage 489
- RIDE-ALONG PROGRAMSpage 491
- YOUTH MEMBERS AND JUNIOR MEMBERSpage 493
- AUXILIARIESpage 500
- PHYSICAL AND MENTAL FITNESSpage 505
- DISABILITY ISSUES IN FIRE DEPARTMENTSpage 548
- DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION CLAIMSpage 553
- FREEDOM OF INFORMATION LAWpage 567
- OPEN MEETINGS LAWpage 574
- PRIVACY IN THE STATIONpage 582
- RECORDS MANAGEMENT PROGRAMSpage 593
- LEAVES OF ABSENCESpage 628
- DISCIPLINE OF FIREFIGHTERS BY FIRE COMPANIESpage 630
- DISCIPLINE OF FIREFIGHTERS AND FIRE OFFICERS BY MUNICIPALITIESpage 636
- PRACTICES TO PROTECT THE FINANCES OF THE CORPORATIONpage 646
- AUDITS OF THE FIRE COMPANYpage 678
- REPORTING REQUIREMENTS OF FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND FIRE COMPANIESpage 684
- FUNDRAISINGpage 691
- FOREIGN FIRE INSURANCE FUNDSpage 696
- RAFFLESpage 705
- FINANCING OPTIONS FOR FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND FIRE COMPANIESpage 714
- VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS’ BENEFIT LAWpage 720
- VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER ENHANCED CANCER DISABILITY BENEFITSpage 732
- LENGTH OF SERVICE AWARD PROGRAMSpage 747
- PAYMENTS TO VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERSpage 766
- EXEMPT FIREFIGHTERSpage 777
- VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS’ AND AMBULANCE WORKERS’ TAX CREDITpage 779
- SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND WORKPLACE HARASSMENTpage 787
- DISPLAYING SYMBOLS OF HATE IN THE FIREHOUSEpage 807
- DISPLAYING POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENTSpage 812
- WORKPLACE VIOLENCEpage 813
- TECHNOLOGY AND PHOTOGRAPHYpage 835
- ALCOHOL SALES AND USEpage 852
- SMOKING IN THE FIREHOUSEpage 857
- CANNABIS AND THE EMERGENCY SERVICESpage 859
- DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTINGpage 871
- DUTIES OF THE FIRE CHIEFpage 882
- BUILDING CODE ISSUESpage 884
- TITLES OF OPERATING PROCEDURESpage 886
- NFPA 1500 BEST PRACTICESpage 889
- FIREFIGHTERS’ RIGHT TO KNOW ABOUT HAZARDOUS MATERIALSpage 936
- RESTRICTIONS ON THE USE OF FIREFIGHTING EQUIPMENT CONTAINING PFAS CHEMICALSpage 945
- REPORTING FIREFIGHTER INJURIES, DISABILITIES AND DEATHpage 947
- OSHA BLOODBORNE PATHOGEN REGULATIONSpage 953
- TRAINING AND QUALIFICATION OF FIREFIGHTERSpage 991
- RESPIRATORY PROTECTION, SCBA TRAINING AND PROTECTIVE CLOTHINGpage 1006
- BAILOUT AND ESCAPE SYSTEMSpage 1016
- DEVELOPING A FIRE SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAMpage 1024
- HAZARDOUS MATERIALS TRAININGpage 1034
- LIVE FIRE TRAINING IN ACQUIRED STRUCTURESpage 1043
- JOINT TRAINING PROGRAMSpage 1050
- PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOL INSPECTIONS, DRILLS AND ALARMSpage 1051
- CONTROL OF EMERGENCY SCENESpage 1060
- EMERGENCY VEHICLE DRIVING ISSUESpage 1061
- PROCEDURES AFTER AN ACCIDENT INVOLVING AN EMERGENCY VEHICLEpage 1078
- WARNING EQUIPMENT ON VEHICLESpage 1081
- WARRANTIES ON EMERGENCY VEHICLESpage 1084
- RIGHT OF FIREFIGHTERS TO ENTER BUILDINGS AND RIGHT OF WARRANTLESS ENTRYpage 1088
- OBSTRUCTION OF FIREFIGHTING AND EMS OPERATIONSpage 1090
- MUTUAL AID BY FIRE COMPANIESpage 1094
- AMBULANCE SERVICE ISSUESpage 1097
- MANDATED REPORTING OF SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSEpage 1133
- FIRE POLICE AND FIRE POLICE SQUADSpage 1137
- VEHICLE AND TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS OF THE PUBLICpage 1143
- STATE DISASTERS AND CONTROL OVER FIRE DEPARTMENTSpage 1145
- LIABILITIES OF MUNICIPALITIES, FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND FIREFIGHTERS PERSONALLYpage 1147
- FIREFIGHTER’S RIGHT TO SUE FOR INJURIESpage 1166
- PROPERTY TAXES AND IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT TAXESpage 1168
- FIRE DEPARTMENT EXEMPTION FROM MUNICIPAL ZONINGpage 1171
- CONSTRUCTION AND PURCHASE OF A NEW FIREHOUSEpage 1172
- RESPECT FOR THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATESpage 1184
- CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM AND THE IMPACT ON EMERGENCY SERVICE ENTITIESpage 1186
- MISCELLANEOUS MATTERSpage 1195
Fire Service Law & Management Resource Manual
The "Must Have" Book for Every Fire District, Fire Department, Fire Chief, and Fire Company
This manual explains every New York and federal law regulating fire districts and fire departments, and contains 100's of sample bylaws, policies, rules, NFPA practices and model programs.
- THE FIRE DISTRICT SECRETARY “MUST KNOW INFORMATION”page 1
- FIRE DISTRICT ELECTIONSpage 17
- THE FIRE DISTRICT TREASURER “MUST KNOW INFORMATION”page 46
- THE FIRE DISTRICT BUDGETpage 76
- FINANCING AND BORROWING BY THE FIRE DISTRICTpage 99
- BIDDING RULES FOR FIRE DISTRICTSpage 110
- RESERVE FUNDS OF FIRE DISTRICTSpage 119
- ROLE OF THE FIRE COMPANY SECRETARYpage 130
- ROLE OF THE FIRE COMPANY TREASURERpage 133
- A STARTING CHECKLIST FOR THE FIRE COMPANY TREASURER AND SECRETARYpage 135
- THE NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION LAW AND BYLAW MATTERSpage 138
- MEMBERSHIP ISSUES OF FIRE COMPANIESpage 142
- THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERSpage 154
- PRACTICES TO PROTECT THE FINANCES OF THE CORPORATIONpage 176
- AUDITS OF THE FIRE COMPANY (INTERNAL & EXTERNAL)page 212
- REPORTING REQUIREMENTS OF FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND FIRE COMPANIESpage 219
- FOREIGN FIRE INSURANCE FUNDSpage 227
- EXTERNAL AUDITS OF FIRE COMPANIESpage 235
- FINANCIAL RECORD KEEPING PRACTICESpage 237
- FUNDRAISINGpage 246
- RAFFLESpage 251
- FINANCING OPTIONS FOR FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND FIRE COMPANIESpage 260
- PAYMENTS TO VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERSpage 265
- PROPERTY TAXES AND IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT TAXESpage 272
- MISCELLANEOUS MATTERSpage 275
- RETENTION EFFORTSpage 292
- AUXILIARIESpage 297
- FREEDOM OF INFORMATION LAW (“FOIL”)page 302
- OPEN MEETINGS LAWpage 329
- NOTICE OF MEETINGSpage 336
- ACCESSIBILITY OF MEETINGSpage 341
- PUBLIC PARTICIPATIONpage 346
- VIRTUAL MEETINGSpage 347
- EXECUTIVE SESSIONSpage 354
- VIOLATIONS OF THE OPEN MEETINGS LAWpage 357
- WEBSITES MAINTAINED BY FIRE DISTRICTSpage 359
- RECORDS MANAGEMENT PROGRAMSpage 362
The Fire Service Secretary & Treasurer Manual
Finally, a "Must Have" Manual Written Just for Secretaries and Treasurers of Fire Districts, Fire Departments and Fire Companies!
It will make your job easier by explaining the laws that govern your positions. Sample policies, forms, notices and best practices are included.
- INTRODUCTION TO THE OPEN MEETINGS LAWpage 3
- PUBLIC BODIES AND PUBLIC AGENCIESpage 7
- PUBLIC MEETINGSpage 28
- QUORUMSpage 38
- CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH ARE EXEMPT FROM THE OPEN MEETINGS LAWSpage 41
- THE POLITICAL CAUCUS EXCEPTIONpage 45
- NOTICE OF MEETINGSpage 49
- ACCESS TO RECORDS TO BE DISCUSSED AT A MEETINGpage 55
- VOTINGpage 57
- ACCESSIBILITY OF MEETINGSpage 59
- PUBLIC PARTICIPATIONpage 64
- MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETINGSpage 65
- RECORDING MEETINGSpage 69
- ACCESS TO AND VIEWING OF PUBLIC MEETINGSpage 72
- EXECUTIVE SESSIONSpage 84
- PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS OF THE OPEN MEETINGS LAWpage 98
- BURDENS OF PROOF AND ELEMENTS OF CLAIMSpage 101
- VENUE OF OPEN MEETING CHALLENGESpage 103
- “STANDING” IS REQUIRED TO COMMENCE AN ACTIONpage 104
- TIME LIMITS TO COMMENCE ACTIONSpage 107
- ATTORNEYS’ FEES AS A COURT IMPOSED REMEDYpage 110
- MONETARY SANCTIONS AS A REMEDYpage 113
- DEFENSES TO CLAIMS OF VIOLATIONSpage 114
- WEBSITES MAINTAINED BY COUNTIESpage 116
- WEBSITES MAINTAINED BY TOWNSpage 119
- WEBSITES MAINTAINED BY VILLAGESpage 122
- WEBSITES MAINTAINED BY FIRE DISTRICTSpage 125
- WEBSITES MAINTAINED BY SCHOOL DISTRICTSpage 128
- INTRODUCTION TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION LAWpage 132
- COMMITTEE ON OPEN GOVERNMENTpage 147
- WHAT IS AN AGENCYpage 149
- WHAT ARE “RECORDS”page 161
- THE RECORDS ACCESS OFFICERpage 168
- PUBLIC INSPECTION OF RECORDSpage 169
- DUTY TO MAINTAIN LISTS OF CERTAIN RECORDSpage 170
- DUTY TO MAINTAIN FINAL VOTES OF MEMBERSpage 172
- DUTY TO MAINTAIN CERTAIN INFORMATION FOR OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEESpage 174
- DUTY TO DESIGN ELECTRONIC RETRIEVAL METHODS TO MAXIMIZE PUBLIC ACCESSpage 177
- DUTY TO POST INFORMATION ON WEBSITEpage 178
- DUTY OF STATE AGENCIES TO POST INFORMATION ON WEBSITEpage 181
- WHO MAY SUBMIT A FOIL REQUESTpage 182
- HOW TO SUBMIT A FOIL REQUESTpage 184
- RESPONSES TO A FOIL REQUESTpage 188
- INABILITY TO LOCATE RECORDSpage 197
- METHODS OF DISCLOSING RECORDSpage 201
- REDACTION OF RECORDSpage 203
- PROMISES OR MARKINGS OF CONFIDENTIALITYpage 205
- FEES FOR THE REPRODUCTION OF RECORDSpage 206
- DENIALS OF REQUESTSpage 213
- “OVERLY BURDENSOME” REQUESTSpage 221
- THE APPEALS PROCESSpage 224
- THE APPEALS OFFICER OR BODYpage 225
- APPEALING TO THE AGENCYpage 226
- EXHAUSTING ADMINISTRATIVE REMEDIESpage 230
- APPEALING TO THE COURTpage 232
- FOIL VIOLATIONSpage 237
- ATTORNEYS’ FEESpage 238
- GENERAL EXCEPTIONS/EXEMPTIONS TO DISCLOSURE OF RECORDSpage 243
- REQUESTING NON-DISCLOSURE EXCEPTIONS WHEN SUBMITTING INFORMATION TO A STATE AGENCYpage 245
- RECORDS EXEMPT FROM DISCLOSURE BY STATUTEpage 249
- ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGEpage 266
- SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS ARE PROTECTEDpage 270
- RECORDS EXEMPT DUE TO IMPAIRMENT TO CONTRACTSpage 272
- RECORDS EXEMPT DUE TO IMPAIRMENT TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING NEGOTIATIONSpage 277
- TRADE SECRETS AND COMPETITIVE INFORMATION ARE EXEMPT FROM DISCLOSUREpage 279
- RECORDS EXCEPT FOR “LAW ENFORCEMENT PURPOSES”page 289
- INTERFERENCE WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT INVESTIGATIONS & JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGSpage 292
- LAW ENFORCEMENT PURPOSES: DEPRIVATION OF A FAIR TRIALpage 299
- LAW ENFORCEMENT PURPOSES: CONFIDENTIAL SOURCES AND INFORMATIONpage 300
- LAW ENFORCEMENT PURPOSES: INVESTIGATIVE TECHNIQUESpage 305
- LAW ENFORCEMENT PURPOSES: EXCEPTION DUE TO DANGER TO LIFE OR SAFETYpage 312
- THE INTER/INTRA-AGENCY MATERIALS EXCEPTIONpage 320
- STATISTICAL OR FACTUAL TABULATIONS OR DATA MUST BE RELEASEDpage 325
- INSTRUCTIONS TO STAFF MUST BE RELEASEDpage 328
- FINAL AGENCY DETERMINATIONS MUST BE RELEASEDpage 331
- EXTERNAL AUDITS MUST BE RELEASEDpage 340
- EXAMINATION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ARE EXEMPTpage 341
- EXCEPTIONS DUE TO SECURITY CONCERNSpage 343
- EXCEPTION FOR CERTAIN PHOTOGRAPHS AND IMAGESpage 346
- UNWARRANTED INVASIONS OF PERSONAL PRIVACYpage 349
- REDACTION/DELETION OF PERSONAL DETAILS IN RECORDSpage 355
- STATUTORY CATEGORIES OF UNWARRANTED INVASIONSpage 360
- MEDICAL HISTORY EXEMPTIONpage 361
- EMPLOYMENT HISTORY EXEMPTIONpage 363
- CREDIT HISTORY EXEMPTIONpage 365
- MEDICAL AND PERSONAL RECORDS AT MEDICAL FACILITIESpage 366
- SOLICITATION AND FUNDRAISING PURPOSES OF REQUESTSpage 367
- DISCLOSURE RESULTING IN ECONOMIC OR PERSONAL HARDSHIPpage 370
- PERSONAL INFORMATION REPORTED IN CONFIDENCE TO AN AGENCY AND NOT RELEVANT TO THE ORDINARY WORK OF THE AGENCYpage 373
- INFORMATION RELEVANT TO THE ORDINARY WORK OF AN AGENCYpage 375
- INFORMATION OF A PERSONAL NATURE INCLUDED IN WORKERS’ COMPENSATION RECORDSpage 377
- DISCLOSURE OF A TAXPAYER’S ELECTRONIC CONTACT INFORMATIONpage 380
- DISCLOSURE OF ARREST/BOOKING PHOTOGRAPHSpage 381
- PUBLIC EMPLOYEES ENJOY LESS PRIVACY PROTECTIONSpage 383
- ADDITIONAL PERSONAL PRIVACY CONSIDERATIONSpage 386
- BALANCING TEST IS REQUIRED WHEN NO EXEMPTION APPLIESpage 391
- LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FIREFIGHTER DISCIPLINARY RECORDSpage 396
- JUDICIARY AND COURT PROCEEDINGSpage 412
- THE PUBLIC INTEREST PRIVILEGEpage 416
- ACCESS TO STATE LEGISLATIVE RECORDSpage 419
- RECORDS MANAGEMENT PROGRAMSpage 421
- THE PERSONAL PRIVACY PROTECTION LAWpage 444
Public Officer's Guide to the Freedom of Information and Open Meeting Laws
Your Go-To Guide to Navigating New York State's Freedom of Information and Open Meetings Laws. A Necessary Read for any Public Officer!
Few things cause more stress to public entities and their officers than the burdens of complying with the Freedom of Information and Open Meetings Laws. Not only are the laws governing the obligations of public entities lengthy, unclear and subject to interpretation, but penalties for violating these laws can be severe and unpleasant. Additionally, compliance with FOIL requests can be burdensome, time consuming and costly.
Who Are These Books For?
Reference manuals specifically tailored to the needs of municipalities, fire districts, fire departments and fire companies
Fire Service Law & Management Resource Manual
Fire Districts
Fire Departments
Fire Chiefs
Fire Companies
The Fire Service Secretary & Treasurer Manual
Secretaries of Fire Districts, Fire Departments and Fire Companies
Treasurers of Fire Districts, Fire Departments and Fire Companies
Public Officer's Guide to the Freedom of Information and Open Meeting Laws
Any Public Officer (not limited to fire departments)
Public entities and their officers
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