N.Y. General Municipal Law § 214: Purpose

§ 214. Purpose. 1. It is hereby declared that this article is intended

to effectuate the objects and purposes of section eighteen of article

one of the constitution and that the relationship between the political

subdivision liable for payments of service awards under this article and

a volunteer firefighter entitled to such payments is that of employer

and employee within the meaning of such provision of the constitution.

In no event shall the receipt of a service award under the provisions of

this article be deemed to constitute membership in any pension or

retirement system of the state or of a civil division thereon within the

purview of section seven of article five of the constitution.

2. It is hereby further declared that this article is also intended to

provide service awards for volunteer firefighters of incorporated fire

companies or departments which are not otherwise part of a political

subdivision of this state and who do not fall within the purview of

subdivision one of this section.