Firefighters’ Association of the State of New York (FASNY)

Our firm identified an avenue in the FY2023 budget negotiations to insert our standalone bill language, and worked with the Executive, specifically the NYS Division of the Budget and both houses of the Legislature, to heighten understanding of the tremendous positive fiscal impact on municipalities if enacted. This effectively worked to mollify previously insurmountable opposition from for-profit ambulance companies. Our ground game was relentless and coordinated both within the Capitol and in the field, working closely with constituent association members to pressure every suburban and rural legislator advocate in closed door conferences with leadership. ASA also worked closely with a public relations consultant to successfully educate editorial boards around the state on the issue and gain their public support. 

In the end, our team laid a solid foundation of understanding amongst decisionmakers and worked diligently behind the scenes in the often-complicated budgetary process to successfully insert language removing this prohibition in the final enacted budget. Volunteer fire departments are now able to recoup funds that can be fed back into critical care and emergency response, rather than being kept by private insurance companies.