EDWARDS -- New York’s volunteer fire departments are experiencing a critical need to recruit and retain members.

To address this vital need for volunteers, The Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY) has developed the Higher Education Learning Plan (HELP) as an incentive for people to serve in New York’s volunteer fire service.

Edwards Fire Chief Dale Barker notes that in most areas of New York, it is citizen volunteers who respond to emergency situations.

This program is designed to provide tuition reimbursement to student-volunteers allowing them to attain up to 80 credit hours from their closest New York State chartered community college or one located within 50 miles of their primary residence.

Under the program, student-volunteers will be eligible to have up to 100 percent of their tuition reimbursed in exchange for maintaining defined grades and fulfilling defined service requirements as a member in good standing in one of New York’s volunteer fire companies. There is no restriction on the type of academic course.

The FASNY HELP program is made possible through a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant awarded by the US. Department of Homeland Security. Download the FASNY HELP Handbook www.FASNY.com.

The first deadline for the fall semester is Oct. 1, 2011.

More info is at http://www.edwardsfd.com.