VIDEO: Governor Kathy Hochul announced that there will be a new program designed to strengthen New York State's volunteer firefighter services.
The first training stipend of $10 million will offset the costs of training courses that firefighters are required to complete.
“Volunteer firefighters put their lives on the line to protect those in their communities, and it is time that we recognize and compensate them for the work that they have done,” Governor Hochul said. “These stipends will allow our firefighters to continue serving their communities while also being able to provide for their families.” According to the governor's office, "Volunteer fire departments serve approximately nine million New Yorkers, nearly half of the State’s population.