Helming Sponsored Bill to Increase Number of Firefighters Moving Forward

Opportunities for New York’s fire departments to add new and younger members to its ranks are moving forward in Albany.

A bill sponsored by State Senator Pam Helming to help fire departments recruit new junior members has advanced out of the Senate Education Committee with unanimous bipartisan support.

The proposed legislation allows volunteer fire departments to make recruitment presentations at local high schools, which they are currently not allowed to do. The bill would not make it mandatory for fire departments to do so but would give them opportunities to give presentations and hand out literature to students if they choose to.

Senator Helming said, “The future of our volunteer fire departments and the safety of our communities depends on recruiting new members. My bill will allow fire departments to introduce interested high school students to these volunteer opportunities. It is not mandatory but simply allows them to give presentations and distribute literature to students. Establishing an early connection with young adults increases the likelihood they will join their local department and enjoy a long and successful career as a volunteer firefighter. I will work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to move this bill forward.”