VALHALLA – Westchester County has renewed its tuition assistance and student loan repayment program to help volunteer fire departments and EMS agencies recruit and retain more local heroes.
County Executive George Latimer said 132 volunteer first responders were awarded $500,000 in 2022 after the Higher Education Recruitment and Retention Opportunity (HERRO) program was launched. Based on that success, Latimer and the board of legislators approved funding the same amount for 2023.
“Our county is committed to doing what we can to support our local volunteer fire and EMS agencies to recruit and retain members. These volunteer agencies are critical to ensuring the safety of so many communities across our County,” Latimer said.
Latimer is hoping to bolster depleted volunteer ranks by providing active volunteer emergency services personnel with tuition reimbursement or student loan repayment assistance up to $6,000 per year.
To be eligible, a HERRO applicant must be an active member of a volunteer fire department, fire company, fire district or EMS agency for one year. An applicant’s department or agency will have to verify that these training and service requirements have been met.
“The HERRO program is not only changing the lives of volunteers but helping to save the lives of Westchester residents during their time of need,” Commissioner Richard Wishnie of the Department of Emergency Services said.
Madelyn Contreras, who volunteers with the Mount Kisco Fire Department is a HERRO recipient. “The HERRO program has enabled me to pursue my educational aspirations while being a present member of my department,” she said.
HERRO recipient Max Yang, who volunteers with the Ardsley-Secor Volunteer Ambulance Corps, believes the HERRO program “is a great way for the county to support the work of young fire and EMS volunteers.”
