Albany, NY—New bills passed by state lawmakers would protect New York volunteer firefighters and medics from being punished by their employers when they miss work to respond to emergencies.

The Firemen’s Association of the State of New York says that not all bosses are tolerant of employees taking time off to protect the public and many volunteers are pressured about missing work.

The new bills bar employers from punishing firefighters and emergency medical technicians who are late or can’t come in because of an emergency.

If Gov. David Paterson signs the bills, New York will be the ninth state to offer this kind of protection for firefighters and EMTs.