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ROCHESTER, N.Y. \u2014 State lawmakers are working to solve New York\u2019s volunteer firefighter shortage.<\/p>\n
The bill would let local governments establish stipend programs for their volunteer firefighters.<\/p>\n
In March, fire officials spoke in Albany over what they\u2019re calling a public safety crisis due to a decrease in people volunteering at fire departments in New York State. <\/p>\n
News10NBC previously spoke with the Spencerport Fire District, who said its membership is 20-30% below what\u2019s expected. <\/p>\n
We also spoke to the Brockport Fire District, who said it was having trouble getting enough staff to train new volunteers. <\/p>\n
READ MORE: Rising recruitment challenges hit Spencerport Fire District as volunteer rates plummet (March 3)<\/a><\/p>\n The bill would also let the Office of Fire Prevention and Control in the state\u2019s Homeland Security Division provide money for the stipend programs.<\/p>\n Fire officials said nearly half a dozen firehouses across the state shut down last year because of a lack of volunteers. They also said there have been \u201calarming incidents\u201d in which fire companies have gone unmanned because of a lack of volunteer staffing. <\/p>\n READ MORE: NY State fire officials set to speak as fire department volunteering hits a 40-year low (March 4)<\/a><\/p>\n