NEWS BULLETIN SERVES SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

SUFFOLK EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMFOR RETENTION IN THE VOLUNTARY EMERGENCY SERVICE(SERVES)…in most areas of SuffolkCounty, it is volunteers who respond to fire, rescue and emergency medical services (EMS). In many parts of the country, including SuffolkCounty, the membership of these volunteer emergency services agencies has declined to critical levels. In response to this vital need for volunteers, SuffolkCounty has developed the Suffolk Educational program for Retention in the Volunteer Emergency Services (SERVES) scholarship as an incentive for people to serve in the volunteer emergency services. This program will allow Fire and EMS Volunteers who have not completed eighty (80) lifetime credit hours to do so at Suffolk County Community College (SCCC).

Developed by the Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services this innovative program is available for full and part time students entering SCCC.

Volunteers under the SERVES scholarship program will be eligible to have their tuition paid in full while maintaining their membership as an active member in good standing in one of SuffolkCounty’s volunteer fire companies or EMS providers. There is no limitation as to the academic program the SERVES recruit can enter at any SCCC campus.

A SERVES student/volunteer must maintain volunteer activity and training levels and certain academic objectives during their course of study and must commit to a post-education service obligation of two (2) to five (5) years following the receipt of their total SERVES funding.

"Our volunteer firefighters and EMS workers provide crucial services for all county residents,” said Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy. “We are proud that our volunteer recruitment and retention programs have received national recognition and achieved substantial competitive funding.This scholarship is just one of the things we have done to help retain our experienced first responders and recruit new members.”

Members of fire departments or EMS agencies must forward the SERVES nomination to the Suffolk County Recruitment and Retention Committee by May 1 of each year.

For more information on the SERVES program and/or forms, click on the following link :   Suffolk County SERVES Scholarship Progam or call Tom O'Hara at the Suffolk County Department of Fire Rescue & Emergency Services (631) 852-4908, email: Thomas.O'Hara@suffolkcountyny.gov

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Do not dial "911" for information.
Dial "852-COPS" for non-emergency Police calls in SuffolkCounty.