The existence of volunteer fire departments throughout the state saves New York taxpayers $4.7 billion annually, according to a new report commissioned by the Firefighters Association of the State of New York, an organization that represents the interests of volunteer firefighters and EMTs throughout the state.

FASNY officials said they hired Resolution Economics, a national economic and policy analysis firm, to measure the economic value of volunteer firefighters in New York. To conduct the report, Resolution Economics analyzed both paid and volunteer fire departments in New York, excluding New York City. Officials said they used economic models to measure the firefighting requirements in each locality, using population, geography, real property, service areas and local experience.

According to the report, there are 1,640 active fire departments in New York, with 88,175 active firefighters — 81,231 of whom are volunteers. Because municipalities do not pay for the volunteer firefighters, their equipment or their fire stations, among other expenses, New York taxpayers save $4.7 billion every year, FASNY stated.

If New York switched to all-paid fire service, FASNY said 31,058 full-time firefighters would need to be hired to maintain the existing level of service. Local government property taxes would rise by an average of 28.4%, FASNY said, and there would be a one-time cost of $8.17 billion in order to buy all the existing buildings, vehicles and equipment.

“This report underscores the importance and value of the volunteer firefighting service to New York,” said FASNY President Edward Tase, Jr.

“Without the dedication and service of the brave volunteers throughout the state, local taxpayers would face a significant financial burden to fund the type of emergency response they are accustomed to. Our volunteer firefighters train extensively to be able to respond to their neighbors in a time of need, and we are proud to do our part to keep this great state safe and taxpayer costs for fire protection low.”

In Oneida County, there are 211 active career firefighters, and an additional 832 would need to be hired if switching to all-paid departments, FASNY said. These new firefighters would require $102,726,769 in pay and benefits, with an additional $22,834,445 in other annual operating costs and debts.

According to FASNY, Oneida County would see an average increase of 89.4% in property taxes in order to fund all-paid fire services across the county.

The full report is available to view at the website www.FASNY.com.