RENSSELAER COUNTY, IN UPSTATE NEW YORK, is launching a program that they hope will create incentives for people to become and remain volunteer firefighters and EMT’s.
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Rensselaer Engine 8-5
This incentive program will enlist local businesses to offer discounts on goods and services to active volunteers.
The Albany Times Union reports that the county will issue volunteer photo identification cards to firefighters and EMTs so they can identify themselves and their skills to other agencies when they are working outside their normal area. The cards also will be used in the Volunteer Incentive Program. The county is investing $18,000 in this program.
The county will conduct an ongoing marketing campaign to recruit volunteers; fire departments and ambulance squads are provided with information about new homeowners to contact to see if they wish to join; volunteers receive an income tax credit; scholarship lists for volunteers are being compiled; and the county is considering what educational opportunities can be offered to volunteers.
Read the full story HERE.
Firegeezer adds: If the townsfolk wish to reward the vols. with discounts, etc., that’s fine. But I really doubt that will encourage people to join up with the local VFD. You either want to do it or you don’t. Knocking 20% off the dry cleaning bill isn’t going to instill a desire to spend untold hours each week pulling duty at the squad.
