Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara has introduced new legislation aimed at bolstering volunteer firefighter recruitment across New York State. The proposed bill seeks to incentivize participation in volunteer fire departments by offering tuition-free education at select public institutions.

The primary objective of this legislation is to address the decline in volunteer firefighter enrollment, which has become a pressing issue in communities statewide. By providing tuition-free education opportunities at State University of New York (SUNY), City University of New York (CUNY), and community colleges, individuals who have served as volunteer firefighters for a minimum of five years will have access to affordable higher education options.

Key provisions of the bill include:

• Amendment of education law sections to empower SUNY and CUNY trustees to establish tuition-free education programs for eligible volunteer firefighters.
• Establishment of similar programs at community colleges across the state.
• Effective date set for the ninetieth day after becoming law.