PROPOSED UPDATED OSHA FIRE BRIGADE STANDARD

PROPOSED UPDATED OSHA FIRE BRIGADE STANDARD

UNFUNDED MANDATE & LIABILITY EXPOSURE

The Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has proposed significant changes to the OSHA Fire Brigade Standard (1910.156). If approved in its current form, the rule will impact all fire departments (volunteer, combination, and paid) across New York and the country.

The 608 page document released by OSHA outlining the proposed changes would incorporate costly health and safety standard mandates and expose municipal fire departments to litigation and costly settlements. This one size fits all approach could cripple already fiscally strapped departments and further negatively impact the recruitment and retention efforts of struggling volunteer fire departments. NYCOM fully supports measures that will protect responder safety. However, there needs to be a balanced approach that takes into consideration the realities of each department.

OSHA’s proposed changes has been published in the Federal Register and has a 90-day comment period that closes on May 6, 2024. The time to act is now. NYCOM is currently working with the Firefighters Association of the State of New York (www.fasny.com), the Association of Fire Districts of the State of New York (www.afdsny.org) and other fire service organizations in a united effort to get the comment period extended to allow for additional time to fully digest and appropriately respond to the proposed rule changes. For more information on this issue, please contact John Mancini, NYCOM Counsel at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The OSHA Emergency Response Standard Proposed Rule Can Be Found Here: Emergency Response Standard; Proposed Rule | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (osha.gov)
U.S. Department of Labor Information: Emergency Response Rulemaking | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (osha.gov)
Information Webinar By OSHA Training Institute: Webinar: Emergency Response Rule
Federal Register – Submit A Comment: Federal Register :: Emergency Response Standard

Local Government Achievement Award Application for 2024

Local Government Achievement Award Application for 2024

GET RECOGNIZED!
Apply Now for NYCOM's Local Government Achievement Award
APPLICATION DEADLINE: MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2024

The New York State Conference of Mayors and Municipal Officials (NYCOM) is committed to highlighting municipal successes and sharing innovative projects and programs you have undertaken in your communities.

NYCOM’s Local Government Achievement Awards showcase innovative projects and programs undertaken by NYCOM member cities and villages that have improved quality-of-life,​ resulted in cost savings,​ established cooperative partnerships, created new or unique approaches to issues, and/or streamlined the delivery of services. 

Winning submissions will be recognized at NYCOM’s 115th Annual Meeting at the Sagamore Hotel (May 15-17, 2024) and highlighted in an upcoming issue of NYCOM’s Municipal Matters magazine.

Questions regarding the program and/or transmitting the application should be directed to Eileen Silva​ at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone at (518) 463-1185.

View Application

NYCOM Advocacy Update (3-13-24)

NYCOM Advocacy Update (3-13-24)


PRELIMINARY STATE BUDGET UPDATE

VIEW UPDATE

Apply to the Municipal Infrastructure Program

Apply to the Municipal Infrastructure Program

APRIL 19TH DEADLINE FOR PUBLIC ENTITIES

The April 19th deadline to submit a Phase 2 application is approaching and ConnectALL urges eligible public entities not to miss out on this opportunity.

Municipal Infrastructure Program Application Deadlines:

  • Phase 1 Public Applicants Closed March 8, 2024
  • Phase 2 Public Applicants April 19. 2024
  • Phase 3 Private Applicants June 7, 2024

The Municipal Infrastructure Program will provide grants to municipalities, non-profits, and other entities to construct open and accessible public broadband infrastructure. It is a last-mile program. Middle mile construction necessary to transport internet services to a local data center where an applicant is connecting its last mile infrastructure may be included, however the project must ultimately be designed to result in last-mile connectivity. In addition to funding fiber to the premises, the Municipal Infrastructure Program will also support the project's make-ready costs, drops to the building, middle-mile interconnection, and networking equipment.

The program will prioritize new public broadband infrastructure that will be made available on an open-access, non-discriminatory basis to private Internet Service Providers and Managed Service Providers to provide New Yorkers with high-quality, reliable, and affordable service options. The Municipal Infrastructure Program will facilitate a variety of models of municipal broadband and public-private partnership, where eligible public entities, municipal utilities and utility cooperatives can partner with private partners like ISPs, MSPs, and broadband infrastructure builders and owners.

To learn more visit the Municipal Infrastructure Program webpage and review the Request for Applications.

Participate in the NYS Broadband Challenge Process
The NYS Broadband Challenge Portal is now accepting challenges from registered eligible challengers. Local and Tribal governments, nonprofits, and Internet Service Providers are eligible challengers and must register to participate. Learn about the Challenge Process and how to register.

NYMIR WEBINARS

NYMIR WEBINARS

HANDLING & RESPONDING TO DIFFICULT CLAIMS (3/28/24 - 11:00 a.m.)

Join NYMIR Claims’ Counsel, Marie Barker in a discussion regarding problematic claims and how to appropriately respond. Accidents and incidents resulting from snow removal operations, storm water flooding, police emergency operations and others will be discussed. Municipal protections under the law will be covered to familiarize you and arm you with a better response when unfortunate accidents occur.
Presenter: Marie Barker, Esq, Litication Examiner 


ONE-ON-ONE CONSULTATIONS (ONGOING)

We are excited to kickstart our exclusive One-on-One Consultation service. Elisabeth Dubois, NYMIR’s Cybersecurity Risk Specialist will reach out to you in advance of your renewal, typically 2-3 months prior, to schedule a personalized meeting. During this consultation, you'll have the opportunity to:

  • Navigate Cyber Applications: We will guide you through the cyber application process, ensuring all necessary information is accurately completed for a smooth renewal.
  • Address Recommendations: If you have received cybersecurity recommendations, we will be on hand to clarify any questions and assist in implementing these essential enhancements.

Click HERE for a description of Cyber Security Service FREE to our NYMIR Cyber Members*

ELIGIBLE TAXPAYERS CAN FILE THEIR TAXES ONLINE FOR FREE

ELIGIBLE TAXPAYERS CAN FILE THEIR TAXES ONLINE FOR FREE

FILE NOW WITH IRS DIRECT FILE

Spread the word to your residents! This month, the IRS launched Direct File, a new service that enables people to file their taxes directly with the IRS online for free. It’s safe and easy to use – with no fees or surprises! Direct File is available in English and Spanish, works on a mobile device as well as it does on tablets and personal computers, and includes dedicated support from IRS customer service specialists. New York is one of the 12 pilot states where Direct File is available this year!  Initial users have saved hundreds of dollars and reported that it is simple and straightforward to use.

Click HERE for more details about this new service.

EFC ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR $325 MILLION IN GRANTS FOR CRITICAL WATER INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

EFC ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR $325 MILLION IN GRANTS FOR CRITICAL WATER INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

APPLICATIONS DUE BY JUNE 14

Next Grant Round Delivers on Governor Hochul’s Clean Water Funding Commitment and Launches Initiatives Announced at 2024 State of the State Address.

New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation President & CEO Maureen A. Coleman today announced the application period is open for $325 million in State grants for critical water infrastructure projects. The next round of the Water Infrastructure Improvement and Intermunicipal Grant programs delivers on Governor Kathy Hochul’s clean water funding commitments announced in her 2024 State of the State address, which include a series of changes that benefit small, rural, and disadvantaged communities. This infusion of funds will continue to help make water infrastructure investments more affordable for local governments, strengthen resiliency, protect drinking water, and create jobs in the manufacturing, engineering, construction, plant operations, and related industry sectors.

“State water grants are an essential element of Governor Hochul’s comprehensive efforts to modernize aging infrastructure and uphold New Yorkers’ rights to safe drinking water and a clean, healthy environment,” President & CEO Coleman said. “These investments will help communities undertake vital projects that safeguard public health, protect our abundant natural resources, and bolster local economies.”

Complete eligibility information and application materials are available on EFC’s website at www.efc.ny.gov/wiia, where local governments may also register for a March 4 webinar to learn more about this round of funding and how to apply. Please check the website for dates of any additional webinars or other information that may be posted. Grant applications and required supporting documentation must be submitted by 5 p.m. on June 14.

This round boasts improvements announced as part of Governor Hochul’s 2024 State of the State address to benefit rural and disadvantaged communities, including:

Additional benefits for rural communities. Even with extensive financial support from the State, some municipalities are left passing a large financial burden to their ratepayers. To alleviate this burden on small, rural, and disadvantaged communities, EFC is increasing awards from 25% to 50% for these communities with large projects that will overburden ratepayers. This change will support smaller communities, which often struggle with accessing clean water grants and delivering affordable projects.

Expanding community resources to ensure equitable access to funding opportunities. Small, rural, and disadvantaged communities are particularly impacted by deteriorating water infrastructure, and often do not possess the resources and capacity necessary to advance a project for infrastructure improvement. Governor Hochul is expanding EFC’s Community Assistance Teams program that launched in 2023 to provide essential support for updating New York’s critical water infrastructure. The teams are ready to engage with any community that needs help with its water infrastructure. Communities can request a meeting, register for upcoming webinars, and learn more at efc.ny.gov/cat.

Protecting drinking water. Continuing New York’s national leadership on addressing the threat of PFAS, Governor Hochul is increasing awards for certain emerging contaminant projects from 60% to 70% of net eligible project costs.

APPLY NOW