Westchester County Executive Latimer is launching a higher education tuition and student loan reimbursement program designed to help volunteer fire departments and EMS agencies recruit and retain volunteers.

Westchester County is working to bolster volunteer ranks by creating the Higher Education Recruitment and Retention Opportunity (HERRO) program. The HERRO program will provide active volunteer emergency services personnel with tuition reimbursement or student loan repayment assistance.

The program will be administered by the Department of Emergency Services. Volunteers are eligible for up to $6,000 annually in tuition reimbursement or student loan repayment assistance. To be eligible, a HERRO applicant must be an active member of a volunteer fire department, fire company, fire district or EMS agency for one year. Volunteers must maintain acceptable volunteer activity and training levels as set forth by the County during their entire course of study.

For more information on the HERRO program you can visit: www.westchestergov.com/herro

For more information on joining the Vista Volunteer Fire Department you can visit: https://www.vistafd.org/content/become/