Training stipend for volunteer firefighters

§ 200-aa. Training stipend for volunteer firefighters. 1. For purposes of this section: (a) "fire company" shall have the same meaning as defined in section three of the volunteer firefighters' benefit law. (b) "training stipend" means payment of a nominal fee to a volunteer firefighter of a stipend for the completion of certain firefighter training, as identified and published by the office of fire prevention and control. (c) "volunteer firefighter" shall have the same meaning as defined in section three of the volunteer firefighters' benefit law. 2. The governing board of a city, town, village or fire district may, by local law, ordinance or resolution, authorize a fire company to provide training stipends to volunteer firefighters. 3. The office of fire prevention and control may make available state funds through a training stipend to volunteer firefighters for completion of certain firefighter training, as identified and published by the office of fire prevention and control. 4. No volunteer firefighter may receive a training stipend from both a volunteer fire company pursuant to subdivision two of this section and the office of fire prevention and control pursuant to subdivision three of this section for completion of the same firefighter training. 5. Any training stipend provided under this section shall not be deemed remuneration or gratuity under the volunteer firefighters' benefit law or any other provision of law and shall not interfere with or impact the volunteer status of volunteer firefighters under the volunteer firefighters' benefit law or any other provision of law. 6. The office of fire prevention and control shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this section.