N.Y. VAW Law § 2

§ 2. Purpose. In recognition of the unselfish service given to the\npeople of New York state by these volunteer ambulance workers,\ngovernment has undertaken to provide for them and their families some\nmeasure of protection against loss from death or injuries in the line of\nduty. This chapter establishes a system of benefits for volunteer\nambulance workers and provides for the administration of such system by\nthe workers' compensation board and the chairman of such board.\n It is hereby declared that this chapter is intended to effectuate the\nobjects and purposes of section eighteen of article one of the state\nconstitution and that the relationship between the political subdivision\nor volunteer ambulance company liable for benefits under this chapter\nand a volunteer ambulance worker entitled to such benefits is that of\nemployer and employee within the meaning of such provision of the state\nconstitution.\n