Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. recently unveiled a plan to boost the ranks of firefighter and ambulance volunteers by offering free college tuition. In addition, the Senate passed a part of the plan today that would call for funds to help departments purchase life-saving thermal imaging equipment.

"On September 11 we saw the critical importance of having courageous, well-trained firefighters ready to save lives," Fuschillo said. "That goes not only for big cities, but towns all over the state who need volunteers for fire companies and emergency service corps to protect the public and ably respond to emergencies. This plan includes an attractive financial incentive to ensure a steady supply of volunteers are available when a call for help comes in, and that when they respond they will have access to the best equipment to protect their lives while they fight to save others."

According to Fuschillo, the plan would provide $2.5 million to pay up to the level of SUNY college tuition - up to $3,400 a year that could be used at any public or independent degree granting college in New York State. To be eligible, volunteers must have served at least one year and continue to be active in the fire or ambulance company while attending school. It is estimated that up to 1,500 volunteers could benefit each year under the program.

"Volunteer firefighters, ambulance workers, and emergency medical personnel put their lives at risk on a daily basis to provide an invaluable service to our communities," said Senator Fuschillo. "The promise of a college education is a proven incentive and appropriate reward for those members of our community who donate their time and talent for the protection and safety of others as well as an excellent way to show support of their efforts and personal goals."

Additional provisions of the program include:

* The volunteer may attend college part-time or full-time;

* Volunteer must be a New York State resident;

* Recipients will be chosen by the highest ranking officer of the ambulance or fire company;

* Awards will be certified each semester or quarter by the Higher Education Services Corporation who will account for any other student financial aid support such as TAP before providing tuition assistance;

* Any volunteer without a baccalaureate degree or higher is eligible;

* Though the tuition benefit is equivalent to SUNY's annual tuition, the $3,400 may be applied to any public or independent NY State institution approved by the regents;

* The tuition benefit shall be effective starting the fall semester following enactment of the legislation.

Nationally, the number of volunteer firefighters has declined 10 percent over the past 20 years, while the number of calls of volunteer fire companies rose 50 percent or more. In New York State, the number of volunteers has dropped by at least 11,000 over the past three to five years, to 109,000 according to Jim Williams, president of the Fire Association of the State of New York, a coalition of 2,000 volunteer fire and emergency service companies across the state. A similar free tuition program was enacted in 1996 to help fill vacancies in the state's National Guard ranks. That program has benefited over 2,000 guardsmen a year.

In addition to the free college program, the plan also includes funds to purchase life-saving thermal imaging cameras for five departments across the state. Thermal imaging cameras allow firefighters to peer through smoke and steam to detect heat sources, such as humans who may be trapped inside a burning room or building.

The handheld devices also protect firefighters by making victim searches in dark, burning and unstable buildings quicker and more efficient, exposing them to fewer risks, such as collapsing floors and walls.

Last year a law was enacted creating the Thermal Imaging Camera Grant Program, however no funding was allocated for the program. The Senate is proposing to purchase the devices, which cost between $6,700 to $8,500 each, through the use of funds available for homeland security.