NEW YORK STATE, USA — Governor Kathy Hochul announced that there will be a new program designed to strengthen New York State's volunteer firefighter services.
The first training stipend of $10 million will offset the costs of training courses that firefighters are required to complete.
“Volunteer firefighters put their lives on the line to protect those in their communities, and it is time that we recognize and compensate them for the work that they have done,” Governor Hochul said. “These stipends will allow our firefighters to continue serving their communities while also being able to provide for their families.”
According to the governor's office, "Volunteer fire departments serve approximately nine million New Yorkers, nearly half of the State’s population. In recent years, however, more than three-quarters of these departments have reported a decrease in the number of individuals willing to volunteer and serve. This is further compounded by the increased operational responsibilities beyond fire protection to include vehicle accidents, medical emergencies, hazardous material spills, and weather-related rescue operations. At the same time, calls for service have increased 29 percent from 1997 to 2020."
New York State Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray said, “New York’s volunteer fire service plays a critical role in protecting our communities but, departments statewide face serious recruitment and retention challenges. That’s why Governor Hochul prioritized rewriting the rules to allow our Division to provide stipends for the foundation training courses. These stipends will allow more New Yorkers will be able to sign up to become volunteer firefighters and strengthen our more than one thousand volunteer departments across the state.”
Training course stipends are as listed:
- Basic Exterior Firefighter Operations - $750
- Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus/Interior Firefighting Operations - $1,250
- Fire Officer 1 - $1,000
A local fire training stipend may also be authorized for the completion of any OFPC training course or equivalents, as determined by OFPC, up to $500.
To learn more visit www.dhses.ny.gov/new-york-state-volunteer-firefighter-stipend-program
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