N.Y. General Municipal Law § 219-b: Purpose

§ 219-b. Purpose. 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 ambulance worker 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 thereof

within the purview of section seven of article five of the constitution.