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ALBANY – Members of the New York Chapter of the Civil Air Patrol – the New York Wing – who are public employees, are seeking paid leave for emergency services during a declared state of emergency.
Lt. Col. William Martin, commander of the Civil Air Patrol’s Catskill Mountain Group, is fully behind the proposal.
“One of our three congressionally chartered missions is emergency services, and this is the one that can, at a moment’s notice, in times of natural disasters for example, cause someone to be called up and asked if they can volunteer their time – we are a volunteer organization – to provide these emergency services,” he said.
At present, public employees who volunteer in emergency situations do not get paid.
This legislation would provide provisions similar to members of the Red Cross and National Guard.
Martin’s Catskill Mountain Group includes the counties of Dutchess, Ulster, Sullivan, Orange, Rockland and Delaware.
The measure is now before the governor for his approval or veto.
NEWS STORY PROVIDED BY: Mid Hudson News -www.midhudsonnews.com