Rockland County Executive Ed Day and Fire & Emergency Services Director Chris Kear announced that more than $389,000 in tuition reimbursements have been awarded to local volunteer first responders through the Higher Education Recruitment & Retention Opportunities (H.E.R.R.O.) program.
Launched in 2023, the initiative provides up to $6,000 annually in college tuition assistance for volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel in exchange for their critical service to the community.
“Our volunteer first responders are the backbone of public safety in Rockland,” said County Executive Day. “They step up during our most critical moments, and it’s only right that we support them in return.”
Fire & Emergency Services Director Chris Kear praised the program as a vital investment. “These men and women sacrifice their time and safety to protect our communities, and this support is a meaningful way to show our appreciation,” Kear said.
Rockland’s volunteer fire and EMS agencies collectively respond to nearly 50,000 calls each year, but many departments have struggled with recruitment and retention in recent years. The H.E.R.R.O. program was launched both to thank current volunteers and to incentivize new recruits.
Among the recipients is Amber Ellis, a six-year volunteer with the West Haverstraw Fire Department, who has received $9,000 in reimbursements toward her degree at SUNY Albany. She will begin pursuing a master’s degree this fall. “This program has helped me so much,” Ellis said. “Not only has it allowed me to continue my education, but it’s also allowed me to connect to my community.”
Jacob Steingart, a volunteer EMT with New City Ambulance, also benefitted from the program, receiving $12,000 in assistance while completing his Master of Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. “I’ve always enjoyed helping people,” Steingart said. “I was fortunate to receive support from the H.E.R.R.O. program, and it made it a lot easier to afford a master’s degree.”
The County is encouraging additional volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel to apply for the H.E.R.R.O. program. More details can be found HERE.