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Last year, Senator Bruno met with Dick Davis, Assistant Chief of the Round Lake Fire Department, outside the Capitol Building. |
Plan Provides College Tuition For Active Volunteers
Thursday, May 16, 2002
Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno, Senator Kenneth P. LaValle and members of the Senate Majority today announced that the 2002-2003 budget will include $2 million in funding for the Volunteer Recruitment Service Scholarship Program to boost the ranks of firefighter and ambulance volunteers by offering free college tuition.
"On September 11th we saw the critical importance of having courageous, well-trained firefighters ready to save lives," Senator Bruno said. "That goes not only for big cities, but towns all over the state who need volunteers for fire companies and emergency service corps to protect the public and ably respond to emergencies. I am pleased that this year�s budget includes an attractive financial incentive to ensure a steady supply of volunteers are available when a call for help comes in."
"Volunteer firefighters, ambulance workers, and emergency medical personnel put their lives at risk on a daily basis to provide an invaluable service to our communities," said Senator Kenneth LaValle (R-C, Port Jefferson),. "The promise of a college education is a proven incentive and appropriate reward for those members of our community who donate their time and talent for the protection and safety of others as well as an excellent way to show support of their efforts and personal goals."
The budget would provide $2 million to pay up to the level of SUNY college tuition -- up to $3,400 a year that could be used at any public or independent degree granting college in New York.
To be eligible, volunteers must have served at least six months and continue to be active in the fire or ambulance company while attending school. Volunteers must attend a college within 50 miles of their fire company or emergency company. They may attend full time or part time and must maintain at least a "C" average. It is estimated that up to 500 volunteers could benefit each year under the program.
Additional provisions include:
* Volunteer must be a New York State resident;
* Awards will be certified each semester or quarter by the Higher Education Services Corporation who will account for any other student financial aid support such as TAP before providing tuition assistance;
*Any volunteer without a baccalaureate degree or higher is eligible;
* Though the tuition benefit is equivalent to SUNY�s annual tuition, the $3,400 may be applied to any public or independent New York State institution approved by the regents;
* The tuition benefit shall be effective starting the Fall semester following enactment of the bill.
Nationally, the number of volunteer firefighters has declined 10 percent over the past 20 years, while the number of calls to volunteer fire companies rose 50 percent or more. In New York State, the number of volunteers has dropped by at least 11,000 over the past three to five years, to 109,000, according to Jim Williams, President of the Fire Association of the State of New York, a coalition of 2,000 volunteer fire and emergency service companies across the state.
A similar free tuition program was enacted in 1996 to help fill vacancies in the state�s National Guard ranks. That program has benefited over 2,000 Guardsmen a year.
Senator Bruno noted that the Senate Majority Task Force on State and Local Emergency Preparedness, Chaired by Senator James Seward (R-C, Oneonta), has held public hearings and conducted extensive research into how the state and local governments can best be prepared for any type of emergency.
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