New York State Executive Law §837 (effective April 1, 2000) requires applicants for membership to volunteer fire departments to undergo a criminal history check through the Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) to determine if they stand convicted of the crime of arson in New York State. This law applies to new applicants, transfers from other fire companies and reinstatements to membership. A follow-up arson background check must be completed for minors (under the age of 18) once they reach the age of 18. Fire chiefs are encouraged to get parental permission before conducting any background investigations on minors. The Otsego County Office of the Sheriff provides this service at no charge to local fire departments. This form is an Adobe Acrobat file that allows you to fill in the pertinent information on your computer, print and mail to the Otsego County Sheriffs Office. It’s imperative that the forms be typed or completed legibly by hand or they will be rejected, further delaying the processing. Paper forms are available from the Otsego County Office of Emergency Services or they can be downloaded here. Please do not fax paper forms as they will not print clearly due to the background shading on the form. The FIRE CHIEF must then sign the form and mail it to the Sheriffs Office. The results will be mailed TO THE FIRE CHIEF.     

Please mail completed DCJS-9 Forms to:    Otsego County Sheriffs Office

                                          172 Co Hwy 33W

                                                    Cooperstown NY 13326

                                                                  RE: Vol. FF Background Check

NYS DCJS Arson Background Check Form