ALBANY — State legislators have approved a measure local officials hope will help hard-pressed volunteer ambulance and fire companies recruit new members.

The legislation offers emergency service providers the opportunity to purchase health insurance at group rates through local municipalities. Group rates often provide significant savings to purchasers, said Duncan Davy, spokesman for state Sen. James Seward, R-Milford, Otsego County, who sponsored the legislation.

“Without question it is less expensive,” Davy said.

He said the measure, once law, would not require local action to take effect.

“You just go to your municipality to purchase the insurance,” he said.

John Nuzbeck, Schenectady County fire coordinator, said he believes the legislation will help recruit volunteers. The county has more than 800 volunteers divided into 24 fire companies and two ambulance corps, Rotterdam EMS and Duanesburg Volunteer Ambulance Corps. Last year, they answered more than 6,500 calls.

“Anything is good to try,” he said.