Saturday, November 8, 2025
Here in Nassau County, a new law called the First Responder Zone Protection Act was recently passed unanimously by the County Legislature, creating Safe Responder Buffer Zones — 15-foot barriers between civilians and first responders who are actively working in their official capacity. While some may see this as an unnecessary restriction, I can tell you firsthand that this law isn’t just common sense; it’s essential.
For over 20 years, I was a first responder. I’ve stood in the chaos of emergency scenes, where seconds matter and distractions can mean the difference between life and death. I’ve worked car crashes on busy highways, where every movement must be calculated. I’ve faced emergency calls where one wrong decision could cost a life. And I have operated in environments where peripheral threats — intended or not — added a dangerous layer to already high-stress situations.
This law is not about limiting transparency or public access. It’s about protecting everyone involved — first responders, victims, and even bystanders who may knowingly or unknowingly put themselves in harm’s way simply by being too close.
When a police officer, EMT, firefighter or any emergency personnel are operating at an incident, their focus must be razor-sharp. The slightest distraction in their periphery — a bystander filming on a phone, asking a question or hovering too close — can interrupt that focus. That distraction could delay administering CPR or other critical medical care. It could misdirect attention during a fire search. It could cause hesitation in a police encounter. The consequences are real — often catastrophically so.
Safe Responder Buffer Zones allow our professionals to do what they’re trained to do, without unnecessary interference. In the crucial moments that matter, removing potential variables from the scene is not about control; it’s about safety. This law reinforces a basic principle of emergency response work: Secure the scene so the responders can operate effectively.
Unfortunately, there is a growing disconnect between the public and those who serve them in the field. While most people don’t regularly find themselves in traumatic, high-intensity situations, first responders live them, day in and day out. And yet, those same members of the public — many of whom have never worn a uniform or had to make a split-second decision under extreme pressure — are often quick to criticize the actions of emergency workers.
We have seen this play out time and again: footage clipped out of context, armchair commentary, judgment without understanding. This legislation seeks not only to safeguard first responders physically at the scene of an emergency, but also to potentially preserve the integrity of the scene itself, giving responders the space they need to work before the narrative is written by someone who wasn’t even supposed to be involved.
To be clear, this law does not infringe on anyone’s rights. It does not criminalize observation; it simply sets a reasonable, defined boundary for everyone’s benefit. It gives professionals the space to perform their duties while still allowing accountability through lawful observation at a safe distance.
Some people might ask, why now? To me, the answer is simple. With the rise of confrontations at emergency scenes and increasingly hostile environments for first responders, this measure is not just timely, it’s overdue.
As someone who has worked both the fire floor and the legislative floor, I can assure you this is sound law rooted in good intentions. It is a proactive step toward protecting the people who protect us, while also preventing unintended consequences for those who may not realize that their proximity makes them part of the scene.
In Nassau County, we value our first responders, and this law reflects that. It’s not just about 15 feet. It’s about space to breathe, space to focus, space to work and space to save lives.
Patrick Mullaney represents Nassau County’s 4th Legislative District.
