Rockland County Awards $217,000 In H.E.R.R.O.’s Awards to Volunteer Emergency Responders

Rockland County has awarded and reimbursed over $217,000 in college tuition to 107 emergency volunteers under the Higher Education Recruitment & Retention Opportunities, or H.E.R.R.O. program. In 2023, the County of Rockland launched the college tuition assistance program for volunteer fire fighters and emergency responders as reported by Rockland Daily here. 

“These programs are a great way to assist fire departments and ambulance corps in recruiting and retaining volunteers,” explained Fire and Emergency Services Director Chris Kear. “Supporting our volunteers is also crucial to maintaining these voluntary services, which save taxpayers a lot of money.”

EMS agencies respond annually to over 40,000 calls per year and fire departments respond to over 9,000 calls per year. Both industries have been experiencing difficulties recruiting and retaining volunteers, and the County of Rockland launched this program both as an incentive for county residents to serve as a volunteer first responder and as a thank you to those already serving.