N.Y. Gen. Mun. Law § 200-A
When any person has served as a volunteer firefighter as provided in section two hundred of this article, for less than five years, and while in good standing in the company or department of which he or she was a member, has resigned therefrom or has been transferred from one company to another, he or she shall be entitled to a certificate as provided in section two hundred two of this article for the time he or she has actually served. And when any person has served five years as a volunteer firefighter in one or more companies or departments, as provided in section two hundred of this article, he or she shall be deemed an exempt volunteer firefighter and entitled to all the rights and privileges of an exempt volunteer firefighter.
N.Y. Gen. Mun. Law § 200-A