According to the Fire Department of New York (FDNY), one of their requirements for employment is that the employee must live in one of the five boroughs, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island and The Bronx for a two year term. After two years the employee is allowed residency is one of the six New York State Counties. The reason behind this requirement is to ensure expeditious arrival to emergency situations. This Residency Requirement is also enforced through the New York Police Department and is applicable for caregivers and hospital workers as well. 

            The Fraternal Order of Police considers “…availability for emergency calls, employees having a stake in the community, enhancing the tax base, improving community attitudes and cooperation, increasing loyalty to the community, and reducing absenteeism,” (Nash, B., Residency Requirements) as appropriate reasons to support a residency requirement for First Responders. 

            Holding the position of a First Responder means you will be available at any given time. The impact First Responders have on a community is limitless. Their abilities to save lives, avoid dangerous situations, protect the public, and maintain civility are the backbone of what our country stands for. If our First Responders lived out of state, their response time to emergency situations would be devastating. The benefits of a shorter response time are immeasurable.