Here For Our Heroes
As we know fire department and emergency service agencies have a hard time recruiting to fill volunteer first responder roles and for good reason. It’s a tough job, even tougher as a volunteer. As our way of saying thank you, I’m proud to announce our HERROS College Tuition program is officially underway.
This program will reimburse volunteer first responders up to $6,000 towards their tuition in exchange for their service to the County.
Our Office of Fire and Emergency Services is also developing new training courses and programs and constructing a new Fire Operations Building to make sure our volunteers are prepared for any and all emergencies.
This includes purchasing a new training simulator to teach firefighters the warning signs of a flashover, which is when an entire room ignites into flames, becoming fully engulfed.
The odds of firefighters escaping a flashover alive are slim, which is why it is crucial for them to know the warning signs so they can get out immediately and this new simulator will help with exactly that.
To our first responders know that we appreciate all that you do, and this is our way of saying thank you.
Head to Fire & Emergency page for more information on our H.E.R.R.O Program: http://rocklandgov.com/
We’re also doing more for our local veterans and in fact handled a 60% increase in claims just last year.
Victories by our Veterans Service Agency include a veteran who went from receiving nothing for two decades to getting nearly $3000 a month in financial assistance.
Another veteran, on the brink of eviction, was found permanent housing and now receives nearly $2000 a month in compensation.
This is in addition to the funerals we helped coordinate for veterans that had no family or friends laying them to rest. The most recent was for 81-year-old Richard Van Slyke of Nyack who passed away on February 22nd. Van Slyke was a U.S. Navy veteran who served from 1961-1963 as an airman stationed aboard the USS Randolph aircraft carrier.
We will never stop fighting for the heroes who risk everything for the liberties we enjoy and the communities we call home.
Residents can contact our Veterans Service Agency for assistance by phone at 845-638-5244.
