Apparently the state-budgeted salad days for training new firefighter recruits are over for now in New York State.
Not only has the NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control canceled a slew of classes state-wide due to overestimating the funds available to provide the instructors for these programs, county training coordinators in some locations have been told that the number of training hours they are normally allotted have been significantly reduced.

We ALL need to speak up, firefighters, line officers, state-wide fire service organizations and fight for the training that is so critically needed, particularly now when the volunteer fire service is also facing a severe recruitment and retention deficit.

THIS is the time when we all need to unite and be heard. Why is is that when the budget hits rough water, safety training is the first item tossed off the lifeboat? I don't get it.

Contact your legislator NOW and speak up; make your voice heard and fight for the training essential to the continuation of the entire fire service.

Not sure who your representative is?
Here's a link:
http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/



Firefighter Training Cuts Frustrate Local Departments


(Rochester, N.Y.) -- For years, Rochester-area fire departments have struggled to keep enough firefighters on staff. On Friday, that task became even more difficult when the state announced it had run out of money for training.

Firefighting is the kind of job you really have to love. That's even truer for volunteer firefighters.

Gates-Chili Fire Deputy Fire Chief Jeff West said, “As a volunteer firefighter, you're going through 13 hours of recruit training a week, and with families and work commitments that's very, very tough.”

For most, the rigorous training is worth it. But, Friday’s announcement means that the NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control has canceled training classes, meaning less firefighters.

Monroe County Fire Coordinator Ed Riley said, “It's the basic skills. We literally can't put them on the fire ground without them.”

Riley said the state requires training on HazMat, airborne pathogens, and safety. He's working to set up classes in March funded by the county, but that still won't meet state certification requirements.

“We have 80 firefighters right now waiting for that training in Monroe County,” he said.

Reasons why the state has run out of training money still aren't clear. And now, neither is the future of fire halls across the state struggling to keep enough members.

West has seven recruits who were up for training this week

“We have mandatory training we need to do and they need to find the money to get it done,” he said. “It's just very disappointing when we do get new members to join and we can't get them training in ample time.”

The State Office of Fire Prevention and Control said it hopes to start training again in April, pending the approval of next year's state budget.

http://www.inergizedigitalmedia.com/story.aspx?content_id=DCF02A9A-A047-4F86-9F31-B01B5C878D1E