$250K In Tuition Reimbursement Goes To Volunteer 1st Responders

WHITE PLAINS, NY — Westchester County has given out close to $250,000 in tuition and student loan reimbursement to help volunteer fire departments and EMS agencies recruit and retain more members.

The Higher Education Recruitment and Retention Opportunity (HERRO) program was launched several months ago to help bolster the ranks of volunteer fire departments and EMS agencies.

County Executive George Latimer said the program seeks to encourage more people to serve their communities as volunteer firefighters or ambulance corps personnel.

"We are off to a great start and hope to build further on the success we have had in the program's first month," he said.

Volunteers are eligible for up to $6,000 annually in tuition reimbursement or student loan repayment assistance.

To be eligible, an applicant must be an active member of a volunteer fire department, company or district to EMS agency for one year.

Acceptable volunteer activity and training levels must be maintained as set forth by the county during their course of study.

Susan Spear, the deputy commissioner at the Department of Emergency Services, which oversees the HERRO program, said more than 50 people have received funding since the program was launched in March.

Application forms and more detailed information about the program’s requirements and approval process can be found at this website.