New benefits for volunteers provide incentives to enroll in local departments.
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine has joined Firefighters Association of the State of New York’s (FASNY) 2024 efforts to attract new members to volunteer fire and emergency services departments across Suffolk County as membership numbers have declined. Recent legislation passed in Albany provides new benefits to members, including an expanded state tax credit and 25-year pension for EMS workers.
“Our firefighters and EMS professionals deserve to be supported for the considerable risks they take when they respond to emergencies,” said Romaine, whose office launched a recruitment video. “Our 109 fire departments and 28 EMS agencies are comprised of over 13,000 active members, who will benefit from the expanded tax credit immediately.”
A formal partner of the Firefighter Association of the State of New York’s (FASNY) statewide recruitment drive, Suffolk County offers considerable local benefits, such as college tuition reimbursement, free equipment & training and property tax reductions. These benefits are in conjunction with those offered by towns and the state.
Romaine remains committed to expanding local and state benefits as he also remains firmly committed to supporting our local fire departments in their recruitment efforts.
For more information on becoming a volunteer firefighter in Suffolk County, please visit https://suffolksbravest.com/.
