ALBANY, NY (Erie News Now)--A BIPARTISAN BILL IN ALBANY COULD INCREASE THE NUMBER OF EMERGENCY SERVICE VOLUNTEERS BY PROVIDING FREE TUITION FOR SUNY, CUNY, AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE SCHOOLS.  

LAWMAKERS SAid THIS legislation WOULD NOT ONLY HELP INCENTIVIZE MORE STUDENTS TO VOLUNTEER – BUT REWARD THOSE ALREADY SERVING THEIR COMMUNITIES.  
 
“It is really a great way to present real opportunities to real people in real time in their communities to have an impact,” said Sen. Lea Webb (D-52nd Senate District). 
 
SEN. WEBB ADDED THIS BILL IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT FOR rural COMMUNITIES– WHO OFTEN RELY ON EMS SERVICES AS MAIN PROVIDERS FOR EMERGENCIES AND CARE.  
 
HAYDEN KOTHE, A COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENT AND FOURTH GENERATION VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER RALLIED FOR THE LEGISLATION WEDNESDAY.
 
IF PASSED, KOTHE SAID THE LAW WOULD MEAN HE COULD HAVE MORE DOWNTIME AND MORE TIME TO VOLUNTEER.  
 
KOTHE CURRENTLY VOLUNTEERS FOR OLIVE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND ELSWHERE FIRE CO., TAKES CLASSES AT HIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND WORKS TWO JOBS. 
 
“It would be nice to be able to have some extra time, that I wouldn’t always be constantly on the grind. I’m seven-thirty to seven-thirty at night. It would be nice to be able to give back some more time than I already am,” he said. 
 
THE BILL IS CURRENTLY IN COMMITTEES.