​Westchester Resident Added To Volunteer Firefighter Task Force

White Plains NY

11 November, 2021

4:18 PM

Description

VALHALLA, NY — Luci Labriola-Cuffe, chief of the Fire Training Branch at the Department of Emergency Services, was appointed by Gov. Kathy Hochul to the New York State Volunteer Firefighter Recruitment and Retention Task Force. The task force helps develop recommendations to aid volunteer fire departments increase membership in their ranks. It also examines firefighter training requirements, reviews the success of programs that provide incentives to volunteers and suggests new ways to assist fire departments that are facing a decline in membership, according to a county spokesman. County Executive George Latimer congratulated Labriola-Cuffe on the appointment and thanked her for being willing to take on this important work. "Most communities in Westchester are served by volunteer fire departments and it is critical to public safety that their ranks remain vital and strong," he said. Labriola-Cuffe, who is a Westchester resident, has longtime experience in the fire service, having served as a volunteer firefighter and chief of the Armonk Fire Department. In her role at DES, she oversees training provided to volunteer firefighters and assists with the delivery of training for Westchester's career firefighters. She said she was honored and humbled to be appointed to serve on this important task force. "I look forward to working with partners from around the state to help develop creative and resourceful ways to assist our volunteer fire departments," Labriola-Cuffe said. The task force was created in 2020 through legislation passed by the New York State Legislature. Among its other responsibilities are: Identifying incentives and outreach programs to assist in recruiting volunteer firefighters from under-represented or at-risk populations.Analyzing current recruitment and retention programs successfully being utilized in other states and making recommendations to adopt those in New York.Examining the need for a bureau within the state's Office of Fire Prevention and Control dedicated to volunteer firefighter recruitment and retentionPreparing a written report to the governor and state legislature with its findings and recommendations. Of Westchester's 59 fire departments, 41 are all-volunteer, 14 utilize a combination of career and volunteer personnel, and four are fully staffed with career firefighters.