Rockland Expands Volunteer Benefit Law

Rockland County lawmakers voted unanimously to expand a local law that helps the families of volunteer first responders and renamed it in honor of fallen Spring Valley firefighter Jared Lloyd.

The new Jared Lloyd Rockland County Volunteer Benefit Act will provide up to $1 million to the families of volunteer firefighters, EMS workers, auxiliary police, and specialized rescue teams who die in the line of duty. It replaces a previous law that offered more limited coverage.

Legislator Paul Cleary, who chairs the Public Safety Committee, said he pushed for the change after seeing families of fallen volunteers turn to fundraisers just to pay bills. “I was shocked and appalled that people who risk everything for our community could leave their families struggling,” he said. 

Lloyd, 35, was a Spring Valley volunteer firefighter who died in March 2021 while rescuing residents from the Evergreen Court Home for Adults. His actions helped save 112 people that night.

The new law ensures that no family of a fallen volunteer is left without support.