Volunteer firefighters in New York have a new reason to feel supported. Governor Kathy Hochul has announced an expansion to the Volunteer Firefighter Training Stipend program, now covering Basic Wildland Fire Suppression training costs for those battling the state's wildfires. "Volunteer firefighters make immense sacrifices for their communities, and as Governor, I am committed to supporting and honoring their service and dedication," Hochul articulated in a statement obtained by the Governor's official website.
With recent statistics revealing 268 wildfires over the last two years—affecting nearly 7,900 acres of New York—the expanded program aims to better equip firefighters. The move follows last year's notable Jennings Creek wildfire, which saw over 1,300 volunteer firefighters mobilized quickly to manage to contain what became a significant safety hazard.
The training is a collaborative effort by the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Office of Fire Prevention and Control together with the Department of Environmental Conservation. It will emphasize essential skills such as fire behavior comprehension and the influence of weather on wildland fires, as detailed on the Governor's official website.
Designed to strengthen volunteer forces, the stipend program will help offset training costs, offering $250 per student. Since its inception, more than 1,400 firefighters have successfully completed training through the program. "Now more than ever it is crucial to make training as accessible and affordable as possible for those who work to keep us safe," Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray emphasized in remarks also shared on the Governor's official website.
Alongside training, DEC's Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant program provides further support through matching grants for critical firefighting gear for rural fire departments. More than $800,000 was made available through the U.S. Forest Service for equipment such as fire-resistant clothing and portable radios in the 2024 fiscal year. This is in response to the burdensome increase in calls for assistance, which spiked by 29 percent from 1997 to 2020, coupled with a worrisome decline in volunteer numbers over the years.
