ELMIRA, N.Y. -- The Emergency Services Volunteer Incentive Act, as it's known, has been approved by the Senate Investigations Committee. The act would provide several incentives for volunteers, including breaks in taxes, vehicle registration costs, health insurance and college tuition assistance.

Senator George Winner introduced the legislation and says it is crucial to retain volunteer services to avoid higher property taxes.

"Well the Fire Association of New York, volunteer fire organization estimates it would cost more than $5 billion to replace the volunteers with paid fire and ambulance services and certainly that's something in these fiscal times is not affordable," he said.

The measure will now go to the Senate Finance Committee, and if passed will be voted on by the full Senate. Winner hopes a decision will be made before the state's budget is introduced in April.