Building Verified Support Across New York.

I am writing to express my strong support for passing legislation (A.9162A/S.7635B) that grants 911 dispatchers the option to retire after 25 years of dedicated service. As the true first, first responders, our emergency dispatchers are the vital lifeline connecting the public to life-saving assistance. It is time our retirement systems reflect the immense physical, emotional, and psychological toll of their profession.

911 dispatchers work under conditions of chronic, high-intensity stress. They routinely navigate life-or-death crises, talk citizens through traumatic events, and safeguard field personnel—all while maintaining absolute composure. This prolonged exposure to critical incidents leads to disproportionately high rates of compassion fatigue, PTSD, and severe burnout. Expecting these vital public safety professionals to sustain this level of performance for 30 or 35 years is unsustainable for their well-being and risks compromising public safety.

There is already a strong and successful precedent for this transition within our state's public safety framework. In 1999, state leadership recognized the grueling nature of community corrections and granted probation officers the option for a 25-year retirement. (This has not yet been adopted by Allegany County) The justifications used to protect probation officers over two decades ago applies just as urgently to 911 dispatchers today. Just like probation officers, dispatchers are integral pillars of the public safety continuum who face severe occupational stressors daily. Parity in retirement benefits is a matter of basic fairness and a crucial tool for recruiting and retaining talent in a field currently facing severe staffing shortages.

Securing a 25-year retirement option for 911 dispatchers honors their invaluable service, protects their health, and ensures that the individuals answering our community's darkest calls are sharp, supported, and resilient.

[Signed]

Jessica McKnight- Director

Allegany County Probation

[Source note: The signed letter is reproduced as supplied, including its wording. Received October 16, 2026; the document has no printed date or addressee. This is Jessica McKnight's signed support statement, not a resolution of the County Legislature or confirmation of benefit adoption or delivery to the Governor.]

TOWN OF HUME

ALLEGANY COUNTY LEGISLATOR

DISTRICT 1

7 COURT STREET

BELMONT, NY 14813

SEPTEMBER 23, 2026

Dear Allegany County Legislators,

We live in District 1, which includes Angelica, Belfast, Caneadea, Centerville, Hume, Rushford, and West Almont. We are asking you to support a county resolution recognizing Allegany County’s 911 Dispatchers and supporting A.9162A/S.7635B.

Our dispatchers are human beings and at times do a very difficult job. They answer calls filled with fear, pain and heartbreak; they remain calm while guiding people through emergencies and help protect responders in the field. This kind of work takes a real emotional and physical toll. Supporting this resolution would not automatically adopt the retirement plan or commit Allegany County to participate. Local adoption would be a separate decision.

The resolution would show that our dispatchers’ matter and that Allegany County supports preserving this option. Please stand with the people who answer our calls for help. Thank you for your time and service.

Sincerely,

Hume Town Board and Community members.

[Handwritten signatures appear on the original letter, including a signature labeled Supervisor and signatures labeled Hume Town Council. See the original PDF for all signatures. The printed wording, including West Almont and dispatchers’, is preserved as supplied.]

Governor Hochul,

I am writing on behalf of the Allegany County Deputy Sheriff’s Association Local 3989 in support of our brothers and sisters working 911 dispatch. It has been brought to our members attention that bill A.9162A/S.7635B has been passed in both houses of legislature. We stand with our 911 professionals in their desire for better benefits and retirement and our hope is that this bill will be passed into law. These individuals endure many of the same stressors of law enforcement duties that our own members do on a day to day basis and deal with many more that we do not.

Please consider signing bill A.9162A/S.7635B when it reaches your desk.

Sincerely,

Matthew E. Tronetti - President

Allegany County Deputy Sheriff’s Association

Law Enforcement Officers Union Council 82

AFSCME, AFL-CIO Local 3989

Letterhead: Police Conference of New York, Inc. Union of Professional Police Officers. Founded in 1925. Executive Offices: 11 North Pearl Street, Suite 1600, Albany, New York 12207. Telephone: 518-463-3283. Website: pcny.org.

Memorandum in Support

S.7635B, Senator Ryan

A.9162A, Member of Assembly Pheffer Amato

An act to amend the retirement and social security law, in relation to the retirement of state, county and municipal 911 operators and dispatchers.

Support!

We write in strong support of passage of this proposed legislation, which would take effect on the first of January next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law; provided that the amendments to sections 603 and 604 of the retirement and social security law made by sections three and four of this act shall expire on the same date as such sections expire pursuant to section 615 of such law.

The Police Conference of New York, the largest police organization in the state, is an umbrella organization of police labor unions formed more than 100 years ago in 1925, today consisting of hundreds of police unions and groups representing more than 50,000 professional police officers throughout the State of New York. Our representation stretches across the entire state, from the tip of Montauk Point to the Canadian border. PCNY membership is comprised of local, county, city and state police, along with groups as diverse as the MTA Police and the Port Authority Police. PCNY leadership is active, engaged, and experienced in the representation of law enforcement officers, aided by counsel and professional support personnel.

Michael O'Meara, President

Bing Markee, Legislative Director

Affiliations listed in the source: National Association of Police Organizations and New York State Public Employee Conference. These affiliations are not presented by the campaign as separate endorsements.

Delivery note: PCNY provided this memorandum directly to the campaign. The campaign has asked PCNY to confirm whether it was also sent to Governor Hochul's office.

Letterhead: Wellsville Police Department. 46 South Main Street, Wellsville, New York 14895. Phone: 585-593-5600. Fax: 585-593-1556. Police emblems appear in the letterhead.

Wellsville Police Department Union

Wellsville, New York

September 23, 2026

The Honorable Kathy Hochul

Governor of the State of New York

Albany, New York

Re: Support for A.9162A / S.7635B - 25-Year Retirement Option for Public Safety Dispatchers

Dear Governor Hochul:

On behalf of the Wellsville Police Department Union, we respectfully ask you to sign legislation A.9162A / S.7635B, establishing an optional 25-year retirement plan for public safety dispatchers, 911 operators, and other qualifying emergency communications personnel.

Dispatchers are a critical part of our emergency services system. They are often the first point of contact during a crisis and play an essential role in receiving emergency calls, assessing information, and coordinating the response of police, fire, and emergency medical services. Their decisions and actions directly support the safety of the public and the first responders who answer those calls.

The responsibilities of emergency communications personnel require significant training, constant attention, sound judgment, and the ability to perform under stressful and demanding circumstances. We believe those who dedicate their careers to this vital public safety function should have access to retirement benefits that recognize the important role they play alongside other first responders.

We respectfully urge you to sign this legislation into law and recognize the essential contribution of New York's emergency communications professionals.

Thank you for your consideration and for your continued attention to the needs of New York's public safety workforce.

Respectfully,

[Signed]

S. Farrand

Union President

Wellsville Police Department Union

New York Council 66 and

Local 2574 C- AFSCME, AFL CIO

September 21, 2026

Kathy Hochul

Governor of New York State

NY State Capitol Building

Albany, New York 12224

Re: Support for A.9162A - Optional 25-Year Retirement Plan for Eligible 911 Professionals

Governor Hochul, I respectfully ask you to support A.9162A/S.7635B and sign the measure when it reaches your desk. 911 dispatchers and emergency communications professionals across NY State operate in demanding, high stress environments that often transfer vicarious emotional trauma onto them. These professionals are consistently called upon to make crucial, timely decisions at the onset of an emergency, while coaching frantic callers through one of the worst days of the caller's life. As an Army Veteran with 29 years of medical system experience and a current County Emergency Manager in NY State, I understand the crucial role that PSAP operators fill and the variety and intensity of emotional stress that comes with each call. Through their service, these professionals deserve our respect and support.

A.9162A/S.7635B would authorize a 25-year retirement path only after a qualifying public employer obtains a NYSLRS estimate and elects the benefit. Coverage and any member election would follow the bill and NYSLRS rules. The employer would accept the attributable cost. A 25-year retirement path would provide strong incentive to recruit, train, and importantly, retain these professionals. Retention improves consistency and institutional knowledge to the benefit of the callers in need. The NY State Legislature has approved this measure, including a 60-0 Senate vote. I urge you to sign the measure when it reaches your desk. Thank you for your consideration of this request.

[Signed]

Scott Golden, NYS County EM Director & Army Veteran

Letterhead: Whitesville Volunteer Fire Department. 496 Main Street, PO Box 256, Whitesville, NY 14897. An American flag appears at left and a fire department emblem appears at right.

Dear Governor Hochul,

My name is Todd Sherman, Chief of the Whitesville Fire Department, and I live in Allegany County, New York (ZIP code 14897). With the support of my department, we are asking you to support A.9162A/S.7635B and sign the measure when it reaches your desk.

I am a first responder, along with all members in my volunteer department. Emergency communications professionals are an essential part of emergency response. Their calm voices and clear facts help protect people in the field and the public we serve. Our department could not effectively respond and coordinate emergency responses without the dedicated professionals that are dispatching the call on the other end of the line.

This measure would offer a choice to retire after 25 years of creditable service. That choice would not be automatic. A public employer allowed by the bill would first have to choose it. The bill and NYSLRS, not this campaign, would decide who is covered. They would look at job title, work duties, years of service, pension system, and any choice a member must make. 911 work can include hard calls, long shifts, and high-stakes choices. Each person, family, and workplace is different.

Please stand with New York's 911 workers and sign this measure when it is delivered to you. That fair path would honor members who qualify under the bill.

Thank you for your time and service.

Sincerely,

Todd Sherman, Chief

Whitesville Fire Department

Allegany County, New York

Letterhead: Wellsville Volunteer Fire Company. 40 South Main Street, Wellsville, New York 14895. Phone: 585-593-4980. Fax: 585-593-2480.

September 14, 2026

The Honorable Kathy Hochul

Governor of the State of New York

New York State Capitol Building

Albany, New York 12224

RE: Support for A.9162A/S.7635B - Optional 25-Year Retirement Plan for 911 Professionals

Dear Governor Hochul:

On behalf of the Wellsville Volunteer Fire Company (WVFC), I am writing to express our support for A.9162A/S.7635B, which would provide eligible 911 dispatchers and emergency communications professionals with access to an optional 25-year retirement plan.

Every emergency response begins with communication. When our firefighters are dispatched, we depend on 911 professionals to gather critical information, send the appropriate resources, and maintain communication with our personnel throughout an incident. Their work directly contributes to the safety of our responders and the communities we serve.

Dispatchers work alongside fire, EMS, and law enforcement every day. They answer calls from people experiencing some of the most difficult moments of their lives while remaining calm, making quick decisions, and coordinating multiple emergency resources. Although much of their work takes place behind the scenes, they are an essential part of the public safety system.

The demands and responsibilities placed on these professionals deserve recognition. Providing an optional 25-year retirement plan acknowledges their commitment to public safety while helping communities recruit and retain experienced emergency communications personnel.

The Wellsville Volunteer Fire Company is proud to support the 911 professionals who are there for us every time the tones drop. On behalf of WVFC, I respectfully urge you to sign A.9162A/S.7635B into law.

Respectfully,

[Signed]

Collin Perkins

Secretary

Wellsville Volunteer Fire Company

Letterhead: Wellsville Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Inc. 37 South Main Street, P.O. Box 206, Wellsville, NY 14895. Phone: 585-593-1800. Website: WVACNY.ORG.

September 14, 2026

The Honorable Kathy Hochul

Governor of the State of New York

Executive Chamber

New York State Capitol

Albany, New York 12224

Subject: Support for A.9162A/S.7635B - Optional 25-Year Retirement Plan for 911 Professionals

Dear Governor Hochul:

On behalf of the Wellsville Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Inc., I respectfully write in support of A.9162A/S.7635B and urge you to sign this legislation when it is presented for your consideration.

Emergency dispatchers and public-safety telecommunicators are an essential part of New York's emergency-response system. They are the first point of contact for people experiencing medical emergencies, fires, crimes, and other life-threatening situations. Their judgment, composure, and ability to quickly obtain and communicate accurate information directly affect the safety of patients, responders, and the public.

As an emergency medical services organization, WVAC relies upon the skill and professionalism of 911 communications personnel every day. Dispatchers coordinate emergency resources, provide critical pre-arrival instructions, manage multiple incidents simultaneously, and support responders throughout rapidly changing situations. This demanding work carries significant operational responsibility and repeated exposure to traumatic events.

A.9162A/S.7635B appropriately recognizes these professionals by permitting eligible public employers to elect an optional 25-year retirement plan for qualifying dispatchers and emergency communications personnel. Because participation remains an employer option, the legislation provides local flexibility while offering communities an important tool for recruiting and retaining experienced public-safety professionals.

New York's 911 professionals are indispensable members of the emergency-services team. Providing an appropriate retirement option recognizes the demands of their service and strengthens the emergency communications system upon which agencies such as ours and the communities we serve depend.

The Wellsville Volunteer Ambulance Corps respectfully urges you to sign A.9162A/S.7635B into law.

Respectfully,

[Signed]

Andrew P. Sweezy, Paramedic

President and Chief Executive Officer

Wellsville Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Inc.

CC: Casey D. Howe, Organizer, NY 911 Retirement, contact@ny911retirement.org

Letterhead: Independence Emergency Squad. 508 Main Street, PO Box 309, Whitesville, NY 14897. Dennis Graves, President. Cheryl Graves, Chief. Lucas Erdmann, Assistant Chief. Mike Hall, Secretary. Joshua Fry, Treasurer.

September 13, 2026

The Honorable Kathy Hochul

Governor of New York State

NYS State Capitol Building

Albany, NY 12224

Dear Governor Hochul:

As President of Independence Emergency Squad, I respectfully ask you to support A.9162A/S.7635B and sign this legislation when it reaches your desk.

911 dispatchers are the first voice in an emergency and the link between callers and police, fire, and EMS. This optional bill would allow participating local governments to provide eligible 911 professionals with a 25-year retirement plan. Please recognize their service and the demands of this work by signing the bill.

Sincerely,

[Signed]

D Graves, Pres

Letterhead: New York State AFL-CIO, Union Strong. Mario Cilento, President. Terrence L. Melvin, Secretary-Treasurer. Mike Neidl, Legislative Director. Albany and New York City office addresses and telephone and fax numbers appear in the letterhead.

September 11, 2026

Honorable Kathy Hochul

Governor of the State of New York

Executive Chamber

State Capitol

Albany, New York 12224

RE: A9162

Dear Governor Hochul:

The New York State AFL-CIO, representing 2.5 million union members, their families as well as our retirees and their families, supports the above referenced legislation and urges you to sign it.

This bill amends the Retirement and Social Security Law to create an option for employers to adopt a 25-year retirement plan for state, county, or municipal 911 operators and emergency dispatchers.

Emergency dispatchers and 911 operators are first responders who work in extremely fast-paced, stressful environments. They must often give assistance, advice, and help during criminal incidents, medical emergencies, accidents, emergency scenes, and other dangerous situations. Their role in public safety and protection exposes them to similar levels of stress that other first responders who arrive at the scene experience.

Recruitment and retention of these employees is extremely difficult, as the stress and trauma of the job take a significant toll on their well-being. Considering they often provide critical life-saving services, it is imperative that we train and retain the highest qualified candidates for these jobs and this bill will assist in lowering turnover to ensure stability of service. This bill also recognizes the value that 911 operators and emergency dispatchers have in maintaining health and safety in our communities and is consistent with retirement benefits that other first responders are entitled to.

Therefore, on behalf of the New York State AFL-CIO, I respectfully urge this bill be signed into law.

Sincerely,

[Signed]

Mario Cilento

President

Document codes: MC:MN:ns and opeiu-153.

Bill-number note: The signed letter uses A9162. The current official exact bill numbers are A.9162A/S.7635B. The signed source is preserved without alteration.

Delivery note: The letter is addressed to Governor Hochul. The campaign has not independently confirmed delivery to the Executive Chamber.

Letterhead: The Senate, State of New York. George M. Borrello, Senator, 57th District. Ranking Minority Member: Agriculture, Banks, Procurement and Contracts. Committees: Aging, Finance, Internet and Technology, Local Government. Albany, District and Satellite Office contact information appears in the letterhead.

September 10, 2026

Honorable Kathy Hochul

Governor

Executive Chamber

State Capitol, Building

Albany, New York 12224

Re: Support for A.9162A - Optional 25-Year Retirement Plan for Eligible 911 Professionals

Dear Governor Hochul,

I respectfully ask you to support A.9162A/S.7635B and sign the measure when it reaches your desk.

New York's 911 dispatchers and emergency-communications professionals make time-sensitive public-safety decisions. Their work can include rotating shifts, overtime and distressing calls; conditions vary by employer and workplace.

A.9162A/S.7635B would authorize a 25-year retirement path only after a qualifying public employer obtains a NYSLRS estimate and elects the benefit. Coverage and any member election would follow the bill and NYSLRS rules. The employer would accept the attributable cost.

As a Senator representing constituents who rely on these professionals every day, I believe we have a responsibility to recognize the demanding nature of emergency communications work. Recruiting and retaining experienced 911 dispatchers is critical to maintaining a strong and reliable public-safety system, particularly as communities across New York work to ensure that emergency calls are answered and handled by trained professionals. Providing a meaningful retirement option can help public employers retain the experienced workforce needed to perform this essential function.

The Legislature has approved this measure, including a 60-0 Senate vote. I urge you to support the professionals behind the call for help and sign the measure when it reaches your desk.

Thank you in advance for your consideration of this request.

Sincerely,

[Signed]

George M. Borrello

Senator, 57th District

Document note: The received letter places the closing and signature on page 2. The downloadable copy preserves that two-page layout without alteration.

Letterhead: The Assembly, State of New York, Albany. Joe Sempolinski, Assemblyman, 148th District, Allegany, Cattaraugus and Steuben Counties. Ranking Minority Member, Committee on Mental Health. Committees: Education, Environmental Conservation, Higher Education, Labor, People with Disabilities. District and Albany Office contact information appears in the letterhead and footer.

August 28, 2026

Hon. Kathy Hochul, Governor

New York State

Executive Chamber

NYS Capitol Building

Albany, NY 12224

Dear Governor Hochul,

I respectfully request that you sign S.7635/A.9162A into law once it is delivered to your office.

This legislation, which I supported, passed both houses of the Legislature with bipartisan support. It would authorize New York State, counties, and municipalities to offer an optional 25-year retirement plan to 911 dispatchers and emergency communications personnel. This bill does not mandate adoption by any locality. It simply provides the option.

This local flexibility is especially valuable for rural counties like Allegany, Cattaraugus and Steuben counties in my district, which face ongoing challenges to recruit and retain qualified emergency dispatchers. The work performed by these professionals is essential to public safety and carries a significant mental, emotional, and physical toll. Emergency dispatchers are literally the first link in the survival chain for our constituents facing a medical emergency or a personal-safety threat to themselves or their loved ones.

Providing a realistic path to retirement after 25 years of service would reduce turnover, preserve institutional knowledge, and strengthen the emergency communications system that law enforcement, fire, EMS, and the public depend on.

Thank you for your time and consideration. If you would like to further discuss my support for S.7635/A.9162A, please don't hesitate to contact me at: sempolinskij@nyassembly.gov or 716-373-7103.

Sincerely,

[Signed]

Joe Sempolinski

Member of Assembly

Cc: Casey D. Howe

Bill-number note: The signed source uses S.7635/A.9162A. The current official exact bill numbers are A.9162A/S.7635B. The signed source is preserved without alteration.

Delivery note: The letter is addressed to Governor Hochul. The campaign has not independently confirmed delivery to the Executive Chamber.

Letterhead: Town of Independence. A black-and-white illustration shows a town building, trees and an American flag. 887 Marietta Ave., P.O. Box 38, Whitesville, NY 14897. Phone: (607) 356-3608. Fax: (607) 356-3600. Email: town.independence@gmail.com. Website: independenceny.org.

August 25, 2026

The Honorable Kathy Hochul

New York State Governor

New York State Capitol Building

Albany, New York 12224

Dear Honorable Governor Hochul:

The Town of Independence Board members in Allegany County are respectfully urging you to sign S.7635B/A.9162A into law. The legislation has passed both houses of the New York State Legislature, including a unanimous 60-0 vote in the Senate, and is now awaiting your signature. This bill would offer eligible workers a fair 25-year retirement choice when their public employer elects to participate. Allegany County has followed through with their commitment to support this bill, we urge you to now support emergency communication professionals.

Residents of the Town of Independence depend on Allegany County's 911 dispatchers every day. These dispatchers answer calls during the worst moments of people's lives and provide lifesaving instructions to those in need. They coordinate police, fire and medical responses and carry the cumulative mental and emotional weight of those responses long after the radio is quiet. They are listening to fear, violence and grief in real time and sending help as well as keeping callers calm. Staffing shortages, disrupted sleep, mandatory overtime and repeated exposure to trauma make this an exceptionally difficult career to sustain for decades.

Support for this legislation extends far beyond dispatch centers and labor organizations. It affects communities served by public safety professionals. They are always there when our community calls for help. Twenty-five years of service is long enough in a position where repeated trauma is the norm.

Thank you for considering this warranted and long-overdue request and supporting public safety professionals who are always there when needed.

Respectfully,

Jeri Reichman, Town Supervisor

Board Members:

Kimberly Howe

Duane Brubaker

Thomas Bissett

Danielle Saunders

Letterhead: MTS Medical Transport Service. The red MTS logo includes a heartbeat line and a Star of Life.

09/07/2026

The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York State, New York State Capitol Building, Albany, NY 12224

RE: Support for Bill A.9162A/S.7635B

Dear Governor Hochul,

I am writing on behalf of Medical Transport Service to formally express our strong support for bill A.9162A/S.7635B.

As an organization that works closely with 911 and EMS agencies across Allegany County, we witness daily the critical importance of the individuals who answer emergency calls and coordinate vital resources. This legislation represents a meaningful commitment to those essential professionals. We respectfully urge you to sign this bill into law.

Thank you for your leadership and for your dedication to the responders who keep our communities safe.

Sincerely, [signed] Scott M Lanphier, CEO/COO, New York State Paramedic, Medical Transport Service, Inc

Public-copy note: the individual paramedic credential number has been omitted. The letter's wording and signature are otherwise preserved.

Letterhead: Office of the Sheriff, Allegany County. Scott A. Cicirello, Sheriff. Walter D. Mackney, Undersheriff. 4884 State Route 19 S, Belmont, New York 14813-9506. Telephone: 585-268-9200. Civil Office: 585-268-9202. Administrative Fax: 585-268-9484. Jail Division: 585-268-920. Two Allegany County Office of Sheriff emblems appear in the letterhead.

August 19, 2026.

Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York State, NYS Capital Building, Albany, NY 12224.

Dear Governor Hochul,

I am writing to respectfully urge you to sign S.7635B/A.9162A into law upon its delivery to your office. This legislation, which has passed both houses of the Legislature, would authorize an optional 25-year retirement plan for 911 dispatchers and emergency communications personnel.

Having served the past 32 years in law enforcement, beginning my career as an emergency services dispatcher, I can attest firsthand to the critical role these professionals play in public safety. In many ways, dispatching is one of the most demanding first responder professions. Dispatchers are often the first point of contact during emergencies and are tasked with making life-impacting decisions under immense pressure. The job places significant mental, emotional, and physical demands on those who perform it every day.

Providing municipalities with the option to offer this retirement benefit would be a valuable tool for recruiting and retaining qualified emergency communications personnel. More importantly, it would recognize the dedication, professionalism, and sacrifices made by these essential public safety professionals. By signing this legislation, you will demonstrate your continued commitment to New York's first responders and affirm the value of the critical services provided by our emergency communications personnel. These men and women deserve a retirement option that reflects their level of training, responsibility, and service to the public.

I strongly support this legislation and believe it is both warranted and long overdue. Thank you for your time, consideration, and attention to this important matter.

Respectfully, [signed] Scott A. Cicirello, Sheriff.

Letterhead: The Senate, State of New York. Thomas F. O'Mara, Senator, 58th District. Ranking Minority Member, Finance; Investigations and Government Operations. Committees: Codes; Energy and Telecommunications; Insurance; Judiciary. Albany office: Room 706 Legislative Office Building, Albany, New York 12247; telephone 518-455-2091; fax 518-426-6976. Elmira office: 100 West Church Street, Suite 103, Elmira, New York 14901; telephone 607-735-9671; fax 607-735-9675. Email: omara@nysenate.gov. The New York State seal appears in the letterhead.

August 13, 2026.

The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York State, NYS State Capitol Building, Albany, NY 12224.

Dear Governor Hochul:

I am writing to respectfully urge you to sign S.7635B/A.9162A into law once it is delivered to your office. This legislation, which I supported and which has passed both houses of the Legislature, would authorize New York State, counties, and municipalities to offer an optional 25-year retirement plan to 911 dispatchers and emergency communications personnel. The bill does not mandate adoption by any locality; it simply provides the option. This local flexibility is especially valuable for rural counties that face ongoing challenges of recruiting and retaining qualified dispatchers. The work these professionals perform is essential to public safety and carries a significant cumulative mental, emotional, and physical toll. Providing a realistic path to retirement after 25 years of service would help reduce turnover, preserve institutional knowledge, and strengthen the emergency communications system that law enforcement, fire, EMS, and the public depend on every day. I strongly support this measure and ask that you give it favorable consideration. Thank you for your attention to this important issue.

Sincerely, [signed] Thomas F. O'Mara, New York State Senator, 58th Senate District.

cc: Casey D. Howe.

AFSCME Local 2574. Executive Board Support Letter. August 20, 2026.

The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York State, NYS State Capitol Building, Albany, NY 12224.

Re: AFSCME Local 2574 Support for A.9162A / S.7635B.

Dear Governor Hochul:

On behalf of the Executive Board of AFSCME Local 2574, I write to express our strong support for A.9162A / S.7635B, legislation that would create an optional 25-year retirement plan for eligible New York 911 dispatchers and emergency communications professionals.

911 professionals are the first point of contact during emergencies. They gather critical information, provide lifesaving instructions, coordinate emergency response, and carry the cumulative effects of traumatic calls, rotating shifts, mandatory overtime, disrupted sleep, and persistent staffing pressures. A realistic career path recognizes both the demands of this work and the value of retaining experienced professionals in our emergency communications centers.

The proposal preserves local choice. A public employer would have to elect to offer the plan; supporting this enabling legislation is not a request for immediate local adoption or an automatic financial commitment. It gives participating employers an additional tool for recruitment, retention, workforce stability, and the preservation of institutional knowledge.

The New York State Senate and Assembly have passed this measure. We respectfully urge you to support and sign A.9162A / S.7635B when it is presented for executive action.

AFSCME Local 2574 also authorizes the NY 911 Retirement campaign to publicly identify the Local as a supporter and to share this signed letter on its website, social media, and campaign materials.

Thank you for your consideration and for recognizing the service of New York's 911 professionals.

Respectfully, [signed] Joseph Bolzan, President, AFSCME Local 2574, on behalf of the Executive Board.

cc: NY 911 Retirement, contact@ny911retirement.org.

Footer: Support for New York's 911 professionals | A.9162A / S.7635B.

Logo description: The New York State Sheriffs' Association badge appears in the letterhead and reads ‘New York State Sheriffs' Association,’ ‘NYSSA,’ and ‘Est. 1934.’

New York State Sheriffs' Association. 27 Elk Street, Albany, New York 12207. Telephone: 518-434-9091. Fax: 518-434-9093.

Memorandum in Support.

A9162-A (Pheffer-Amato) / S7635-B (Ryan) — An Act to amend the retirement and social security law, in relation to the retirement of state, county and municipal 911 operators and dispatchers.

The New York State Sheriffs’ Association SUPPORTS the above captioned legislation, which would add a new § 89-z to the Retirement and Social Security Law establishing an optional twenty-five year retirement plan for public safety dispatchers, telecommunicators, 911 operators, communications officers, and emergency services dispatchers employed by the state or by a county or municipal emergency services department.

In many of New York’s counties, the Sheriff’s Office operates the county 911 and emergency dispatch center. The men and women who staff those consoles are the first point of contact for residents facing a medical emergency, a fire, or a crime in progress, and they are frequently required to guide callers through CPR, first aid, and other lifesaving instructions while simultaneously coordinating the response of law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical personnel. This is demanding, high-stress work performed under sustained cognitive and emotional pressure, and it shares far more in common with the public safety titles already eligible for enhanced retirement benefits than with the general civil service workforce.

Sheriffs’ Offices continue to struggle with recruitment and retention in dispatch and communications titles. The lack of a retirement benefit comparable to that afforded to other public safety personnel puts county emergency communications centers at a competitive disadvantage and likely contributes to the understaffing and subsequent burnout that our members report. A meaningful retirement incentive is a tool that should be available to counties to stabilize this workforce, and this legislation would give counties that option.

That said, it is important also that this bill preserves local control over its own costs. In order to offer this plan, it would have to be affirmatively adopted by a state, county, or municipal employer. This will allow governments to go at their own pace in phasing in this new benefit. From a Sheriff’s perspective this will ensure that other aspects of the Office’s budget will not be cannibalized to implement a mandate; rather, counties and Sheriffs’ Offices can plan on how to best provide this option without any degradation to existing law enforcement, correction, or PSAP services.

So, for the foregoing reasons, the New York State Sheriffs’ Association respectfully supports this legislation.

Letterhead: CSEA New York. Mary E. Sullivan, President. Jarvis T. Brown, Executive Vice President. Stacey Baldwin Deyo, Secretary. Nicole Meeks, Treasurer.

July 7, 2026.

The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York State, NYS State Capitol Building, Albany, NY 12224.

Dear Governor Hochul,

The Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) strongly supports S.7635-B, which has passed both houses of the Legislature and is awaiting delivery to your office. This bill would allow the state and municipalities to provide an optional 25-year retirement plan to emergency dispatchers.

Emergency dispatchers are an indispensable part of New York's public safety system. As the first point of contact during emergencies, they manage life-and-death situations, calm people in crisis, coordinate first responders, and are repeatedly exposed to traumatic events. Although they rarely witness these incidents firsthand, the cumulative psychological impact of hearing them unfold day after day takes a tremendous toll.

According to the New York State First Responder Mental Health Needs Assessment, emergency dispatchers report the highest rates of anxiety, depression, PTSD symptoms, and suicidal ideation of any first responder group. Yet unlike police officers and firefighters, who generally have access to 20-year retirement plans that recognize the extraordinary demands of their professions, emergency dispatchers are not in a special plan and are often required to work 30 years or more before becoming eligible to retire.

Comparison table. Assessment: Anxiety Symptoms. Emergency Dispatchers (Traditional retirement age): 69%. Police Officers (20-year retirement): 60%. Firefighters (20-year retirement): 50%.

Comparison table. Assessment: Depression Symptoms. Emergency Dispatchers (Traditional retirement age): 73%. Police Officers (20-year retirement): 56%. Firefighters (20-year retirement): 48%.

Comparison table. Assessment: PTSD Symptoms. Emergency Dispatchers (Traditional retirement age): 57%. Police Officers (20-year retirement): 43%. Firefighters (20-year retirement): 34%.

Comparison table. Assessment: Suicidal Ideation. Emergency Dispatchers (Traditional retirement age): 21%. Police Officers (20-year retirement): 15%. Firefighters (20-year retirement): 14%.

This disparity contributes to an ongoing recruitment and retention crisis. Nationwide, 911 dispatch centers experienced a 25 percent vacancy rate on average from 2019 to 2022. The emotional strain of the job leads to burnout, burnout leads to vacancies, vacancies require mandatory overtime, and mandatory overtime accelerates burnout for the employees who remain. The result is a cycle that steadily erodes the workforce and makes it increasingly difficult for governments to recruit and retain qualified dispatchers. When dispatch centers are understaffed, emergency response can be delayed, placing both first responders and the public at risk.

Allowing the state and municipalities to offer a 25-year retirement plan to these first responders acknowledges the unique demands of this profession and helps make emergency dispatching a more sustainable career. A more competitive retirement benefit will help attract new employees, encourage experienced dispatchers to remain in the profession, reduce turnover, and lessen the staffing shortages that contribute to mandatory overtime and poor mental health.

Importantly, S.7635-B accomplishes these goals in a fiscally responsible manner. The legislation imposes no mandated costs on the state or local governments; it simply provides participating employers with the option to offer a 25-year retirement plan to their emergency dispatchers.

On behalf of our 250,000 active and retired, public and private employees across New York State, CSEA respectfully requests favorable Executive action on this legislation.

Sincerely, [signed] Joshua Terry, Director.

Cc: J. Bray; J. Cherry; A. Kondo; A. Vasquez.

Source note: International Academies of Emergency Dispatch and National Association of State 911 Administrators, America's 911 Workforce Is in Crisis: Results of a Nationwide 911 Staffing Survey (Spring 2023), https://www.911.gov/assets/IAED_NASNA_Staffing-Survey-Report-2023.pdf.

Footer: CSEA, Inc. • 143 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12210 • 518-257-1000 • 1-800-342-4146 • cseany.org.

Letterhead: American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO. The logo reads AFSCME, NEW YORK COUNCIL 66, WORKING CLASS HEROES.

1956 Lyell Avenue, Suite A, Rochester, New York 14606

Telephone (585) 594-0753 FAX (585) 594-8929

Rich Canazzi

President

August 28, 2026

Re: Support for Legislation Establishing an Optional 25-Year Retirement Plan for Public Safety Dispatchers and Emergency Communications Personnel.

On behalf of AFSCME New York Council 66, I am writing in strong support of legislation that would establish an optional twenty-five-year retirement plan for certain public safety dispatchers, public safety telecommunicators, 911 operators, communications officers, police communication technicians, emergency services operators, and emergency services dispatchers employed by the State, counties, and municipalities.

These dedicated public employees serve on the front lines of our emergency response system. While they may not always be physically present at the scene of an emergency, they are often the first point of contact for individuals experiencing some of the most frightening and life-threatening moments of their lives. They answer 911 calls, gather critical information, dispatch police, fire, and emergency medical personnel, and provide essential assistance until help arrives.

The work is demanding, stressful, and carries significant responsibility. Dispatchers and emergency communications personnel routinely deal with traumatic situations, life-and-death decisions, and the emotional strain that comes with assisting people during their worst moments. Their work is an indispensable component of public safety and deserves to be recognized accordingly.

Providing an optional twenty-five-year retirement benefit acknowledges the unique demands placed upon these employees and provides them with a meaningful retirement option after a full career of dedicated public service. It also recognizes the importance of maintaining a strong and experienced emergency communications workforce and can assist municipalities and the State in recruiting and retaining qualified personnel.

AFSCME Council 66 represents thousands of hardworking public employees throughout New York State, including workers who provide essential services to our communities. We understand firsthand the dedication and sacrifices made by public servants who keep our communities safe and functioning every day.

We respectfully urge support and advance this important legislation. Those who spend twenty-five years answering the call when others are in crisis have earned the opportunity to retire with dignity and security.

Thank you for your consideration and for your continued support of New York's public employees and the essential services they provide.

Respectfully,

Rich Canazzi

President

AFSCME New York Council 66

Letterhead: Livingston County Sheriff. Thomas J. Dougherty, Sheriff. Matthew D. Bean, Undersheriff. A sheriff badge appears in the letterhead. The letter is attributed to Phyllis Applin, Director, Communications Bureau; letterhead officials are not additional signers.

August 31, 2026

The Honorable Kathy Hochul

Governor of New York State

NYS State Capitol Building

Albany, NY 12224

Re: Support for A.9162A / S.7635B

Dear Governor Hochul:

As Director of the Livingston County Sheriff's Office Communications Bureau, I write to express my strong support for A.9162A / S.7635B, legislation that would create an optional 25-year retirement plan for eligible New York 911 dispatchers and emergency communications professionals.

911 professionals are the first point of contact during emergencies. They gather critical information, provide lifesaving instructions, coordinate law-enforcement, fire, and EMS responses, and maintain communications throughout rapidly changing incidents. They perform this work while carrying the cumulative effects of traumatic calls, rotating shifts, mandatory overtime, disrupted sleep, and persistent staffing pressures.

A realistic career path would help emergency communications centers recruit and retain experienced professionals, preserve institutional knowledge, and strengthen continuity of service. The proposal preserves local choice: a public employer would have to elect to offer the plan, so supporting this enabling legislation is not a request for immediate local adoption or an automatic financial commitment.

The New York State Senate and Assembly have passed this measure. I respectfully urge you to support and sign A.9162A/S.7635B when it is presented for executive action.

By signing and returning this letter, I also authorize the NY 911 Retirement campaign to publicly identify me, in my official capacity, and the Livingston County Sheriff's Office Communications Bureau as supporters of this legislation and to share this signed letter on its website, social media, and campaign materials.

Thank you for your consideration and for recognizing the service of New York's 911 professionals.

Respectfully,

Phyllis Applin

Director, Communications Bureau

Livingston County

cc: NY 911 Retirement, contact@ny911retirement.org

Letterhead: Office of the Sheriff, Allegany County. Scott A. Cicirello, Sheriff. Walter D. Mackney, Undersheriff. 4884 State Route 19 S, Belmont, New York 14813-9506. Telephone: 585-268-9200. Civil Office: 585-268-9202. Administrative Fax: 585-268-9484. Jail Division: 585-268-920. Two Allegany County Office of Sheriff emblems appear in the letterhead. Letterhead officials are not additional signers.

September 2, 2026.

The Honorable Kathy Hochul

Governor of New York State

NYS State Capitol Building

Albany, NY 12224

Re: Support for A.9162A / S.7635B

Dear Governor Hochul:

As a Lieutenant who helps oversee the Allegany County Sheriff's Office 911 Communications Division, I write to express my strong support for A.9162A / S.7635B, legislation that would create an optional 25-year retirement plan for eligible New York 911 dispatchers and emergency communications professionals.

911 professionals are the first point of contact during emergencies. They gather critical information, provide lifesaving instructions, coordinate law-enforcement, fire, and EMS resources, and maintain communications throughout rapidly changing incidents. They perform this work while carrying the cumulative effects of traumatic calls, rotating shifts, mandatory overtime, disrupted sleep, and persistent staffing pressures.

A realistic career path would help emergency communications centers recruit and retain experienced professionals, preserve institutional knowledge, and strengthen continuity of service. The proposal preserves local choice: a public employer would have to elect to offer the plan. Supporting this enabling legislation does not itself commit Allegany County to local adoption or create an automatic financial commitment.

The New York State Senate and Assembly have passed this measure. I respectfully urge you to support and sign A.9162A / S.7635B when it is presented for executive action.

By signing and returning this letter, I also authorize the NY 911 Retirement campaign to publicly identify me, in my official capacity, as a supporter of this legislation and to share this signed letter on its website, social media, and campaign materials. I may revise or remove this paragraph before signing if I prefer narrower permission.

Thank you for your consideration and for recognizing the service of New York's 911 professionals.

Respectfully,

[Signed]

Matthew Graves

Lieutenant

Allegany County Sheriff's Office

911 Communications Division

cc: NY 911 Retirement, contact@ny911retirement.org

Permission note: the signed source is transcribed faithfully above. Casey reports that Lieutenant Graves later narrowed the campaign's permission to website use only and prohibited social-media use. The campaign is honoring that later restriction.