A 6890: Provides that the fire commissioner of any fire department in cities having a population of one million or more shall not substantially alter the boundaries of fire companies, once fixed, or close, remove or relocate a fire company unless at least thirty days prior to the taking effect of such action written notice thereof has been given to each local community board or boards having jurisdiction over that part of the city directly affected by such proposed action or service reduction.

  
  STATE OF NEW YORK ________________________________________________________________________ 6890 2025-2026 Regular Sessions  IN ASSEMBLY March 18, 2025 ___________ Introduced by M. of A. COOK -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. COLTON -- read once and referred to the Committee on Local Governments AN ACT to amend the general municipal law, in relation to requiring a written notice, prior to changing the level of fire services provided in cities having a population of one million or more The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem- bly, do enact as follows: 1 Section 1. The legislature hereby finds and determines that fire 2 protection is one of the most significant and vital municipal services 3 provided to the citizens of the state. Any proposed action by municipal 4 officers which threatens to alter the manner or level of delivery of 5 fire services ought to be on notice to the community since it is quite 6 often of significant concern to the affected community. 7 In order to enable the community to have sufficient public discussion 8 through the use of existing community boards and their established abil- 9 ity to effectively notify the members of the community and to conduct 10 public hearings on the proposal, the within provisions are enacted. 11 § 2. The general municipal law is amended by adding a new section 12 209-h to read as follows: 13 § 209-h. Reduction of fire services in certain municipalities; prior 14 notice required. Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of any 15 general, special or local law, or rule or regulation to the contrary, 16 the fire commissioner of any fire department in cities having a popu- 17 lation of one million or more shall not substantially alter the bounda- 18 ries of fire companies, once fixed, close a borough fire communications 19 office, remove or dismantle a fire alarm box, or close, remove, or relo- 20 cate a fire company unless at least thirty days prior to the taking 21 effect of such action written notice thereof has been given to each 22 local community board or boards having jurisdiction over that part of 23 the city directly affected by such proposed action or service reduction. 24 § 3. This act shall take effect immediately. EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [ ] is old law to be omitted. LBD09304-01-5