Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I-Pulaski) today informed members of volunteer fire departments and students about a tuition reimbursement program available through the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY). FASNY has developed the Higher Education Learning Plan (FASNY HELP) as an incentive for people to join New York’s volunteer fire service. This program will provide tuition reimbursement to student-volunteers.

The deadline to apply for the spring semester is February 3.

“When things are at their worst, our volunteer firefighters are at their best,” said Barclay. “Without their efforts in the face of emergencies, our communities would be at a great loss. I urge any of our students considering entering the volunteer fire service, or current firefighters enrolling in classes, to apply for FASNY’s tuition reimbursement program before the Feb. 3 deadline.”

The FASNY HELP program allows community college students to receive up to 100% tuition reimbursement for up to 80 credit hours while serving as volunteer firefighters and maintaining good grades. According to FASNY, the goal of the program is to help recruit and retain volunteers to fill a shortage left by the loss of more than 41,000 emergency volunteer workers over the years. To apply, candidates must first complete their local fire department’s volunteer membership process and the Volunteer Fire Department Commitment form.

For information on the program and how to apply, visit http://www.fasny.com/index.php/resources/fasny-help/; email HELP@fasny.com, Attn: John D’Alessandro, Deputy Volunteer Programs Coordinator; or call FASNY toll free at (855) 367-6933.

The program was made possible through a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant awarded by the Department of Homeland Security.