Want to be a firefighter? FASNY deadline is October 1

NEW YORK — If you’ve ever thought about becoming a firefighter, now’s your chance. The Firemen’s Association of the State of New York is making it possible through tuition reimbursements.

The Association is launching a first-ever initiative called the FASNY Higher Education Learning Plan, or HELP. HELP will reimburse up to 100 percent of community college tuition statewide for students who commit to being volunteer firefighters.

FASNY Training Education Chairman Paul Whorrall said, “It’s harder to get people to volunteer and it’s also harder to retain them. So, with this, we’re hoping to do that and getting them at a younger age, maybe we can keep them interested. Maybe we they’ll stay longer than the years they have to put back in.”

FASNY was awarded a nearly $4.3 million grant from the Department of Homeland Security. The deadline to apply for the fall semester is October first.