New York Governor Announces Training Stipend for Volunteer Firefighters

Mar. 7—Volunteer fire departments across New York continue to struggle with recruiting new members and holding on to the ones they have.

A new initiative launched this week aims to address that problem.

Gov. Kathy Hochul on Wednesday announced the launch of a first-ever training stipend program for volunteer firefighters.

The governor said draft regulations were accepted for the program that aims to strengthen and stabilize volunteer fire services. A total of $10 million in state funds will help offset the cost of training courses that volunteer firefighters are required to complete, she said.

"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," Hochul said in a statement. "These stipends will allow our firefighters to continue serving their communities while also being able to provide for their families."

About 9 million New Yorkers — nearly half of the state's population — are served by volunteer fire departments, more than 75% of which have reported a decrease in the number of those who seek to volunteer and serve in recent years.

The decrease in volunteers is compounded by the increased operational responsibilities that volunteers take on beyond fighting fires, such as attending to motor vehicle accidents, medical emergencies, hazardous material spills and weather-related rescue operations. Simultaneously, calls for service by volunteer fire departments increased 29% from 1997 to 2020, according to the Governor's Office.

In an attempt to strengthen and stabilize volunteer fire service in the state, the Office of Fire Prevention and Control will administer the stipend to volunteer firefighters that will allow them to complete required training courses on or after Aug. 31.

Volunteer fire service plays a critical role in protecting local communities across the state, but it also faces serious recruitment and retention challenges, said New York State Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray.

To be eligible for the stipends, volunteer fire departments must submit fire reporting for the prior calendar year and complete the annual fire department demographics form. The regulation also authorizes volunteer fire departments to pay volunteer firefighters a training stipend, subject to local funding, for the completion of certain courses as identified by the Office of Fire Prevention and Control.

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