Fire service, tuition link

Recruiting people to join local fire departments has become an increasing challenge in the past decade. Now, there is a new lure that could help the situation.

The Firemen’s Association of the State of New York has a new initiative called the Higher Education Learning Plan (HELP) that offers college-tuition reimbursement for volunteer firefighters. It is the first program of its kind in New York state.

Local fire chiefs have been saying for years that it is more difficult to get people to join the fire service. It’s asking a lot right from the start to expect people to leave their homes or workplaces in all kinds of weather conditions to risk their lives putting out a fire at the home of a stranger.

On top of that, firefighters are required to complete many hours of specialized training, which turns away some potential participants. Another factor is the busy lives that most families lead, with both parents in the workforce and many children involved in extra-curricular activities that tie up more family time.

But communities badly need these volunteers, relying on them to perform a crucial and life-saving service. So any incentive that can get people interested in joining the local fire department is welcome. And HELP seems like a beauty.

The program is open to any active volunteer firefighter who hasn’t already achieved an associates degree or higher. The reimbursement is up to 100 percent of the tuition bill. There is no restriction on the type of academic courses that are being pursued or whether the student goes to college full or part time.

What the students need to do in return is get good grades and maintain acceptable volunteer-firefighter activity and training during their entire course of study and for a period after.

The program may provide an added boost to Clinton Community College in Plattsburgh and North Country Community College in Saranac Lake because the students have to attend the community college closest to their home.

The HELP program is funded through a $4,270,570 Department of Homeland Security Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant that was awarded to the state firefighters association. The money will also help pay for a public-awareness campaign and recruitment and retention tools for individual departments.

The association has set a goal to attract and maintain 15,189 new firefighters over the next four years. New York already has 1,740 volunteer fire agencies, made up of a total 88,841 firefighters, but they are covering 47,214 square miles and protecting 9.8 million people, so many more volunteers are needed.

Potential volunteers who want to look into the tuition program need to apply by Oct. 1 for this semester and Feb. 1, 2012, for the spring 2012 semester.

If you have been thinking about helping your community, this is a good way to provide a valued and respected service while getting help with your college tuition.