Westchester Insider: Westchester County Police: HERRO Program Renewed for 2023.

 

HERRO PROGRAM RENEWED FOR 2023 AFTER SUCCESSFUL LAUNCH LAST YEAR.

$500,000 awarded to volunteer fire & EMS personnel in 2022.

 

(Valhalla, NY) – Westchester County has renewed an innovative tuition assistance and student loan repayment program to help volunteer fire departments and EMS agencies recruit and retain more local heroes.

 

County Executive George Latimer said 132 volunteer first responders were awarded $500,000 in 2022 after the Higher Education Recruitment and Retention Opportunity (HERRO) program was launched. Based on that success, Latimer and the Board of Legislators approved funding the same amount for 2023.

 

“Our County is committed to doing what we can to support our local volunteer fire and EMS agencies to recruit and retain members. These volunteer agencies are critical to ensuring the safety of so many communities across our County,” Latimer said. 

 

Latimer is hoping to bolster depleted volunteer ranks by providing active volunteer emergency services personnel with tuition reimbursement or student loan repayment assistance up to $6,000 per year.

To be eligible, a HERRO applicant must be an active member of a volunteer fire department, fire company, fire district or EMS agency for one year. An applicant’s department or agency will have to verify that these training and service requirements have been met.

 

“County Executive Latimer’s leadership during this national crisis in the shortage of volunteer first responders is making a real difference in recruiting and retaining members of our local fire and EMS agencies.  The HERRO program is not only changing the lives of volunteers but helping to save the lives of Westchester residents during their time of need,” Commissioner Richard G. Wishnie of the Department of Emergency Services said.

 

The HERRO program is administered by the Department of Emergency Services.  Application forms and more detailed information about the program’s requirements and approval process can be found at: www.westchestergov.com/herro.

 

HERRO recipient Madelyn Contreras, who volunteers with the Mount Kisco Fire Department, said, “The HERRO program has enabled me to pursue my educational aspirations while being a present member of my department. I am so appreciative of the program, not only for what it has provided me with, but simply for the recognition that Westchester County is giving back to us as we serve our communities.”

 

HERRO recipient Max Yang, who volunteers with the Ardsley-Secor Volunteer Ambulance Corps, said, “I am so appreciative of the generous support from the Department of Emergency Services. I am honored to be recognized for my service with Ardsley-Secor Volunteer Ambulance Corps (ASVAC), and I believe that the HERRO program is a great way for the County to support the work of young fire and EMS volunteers. Joining ASVAC was one of the best choices I have made, and I hope that HERRO is able to attract more volunteers to fire and EMS agencies around the county."

 

Questions may be directed to: HERRO@westchestergov.com