The Louisiana State Firemans Association in conjunction with the Louisiana State Fire Marshall's office would like to announce a program to bolster the ranks of Louisiana Volunteer Fire Departments.  The state has announced a tuition reimbursement program for anyone willing to dedicate 2 years as a volunteer to a volunteer department in the state of Louisiana.  The service to the department and the time at college does NOT have to be concurrent, so you can volunteer and go to college, or go to college, then volunteer your 2 years.  It's that simple!

• Did you know that 85% of the firefighters in state of Louisiana are volunteers?

• Did you know that now by agreeing to 2 years as a volunteer in a state of Louisiana volunteer department can earn you up to $8,000 for a 2 year degree and up to $16,000 for a for year college degree?

Find out all the details at http://www.vfdla.org

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the tuition reimbursement of up to $8,000 for a 2-year program and $16,000 for a 4-year program, the recruit applicant must complete the requirements of the grant program.

Basic requirements are:

* Applicant must be an active responding, certified member of a volunteer fire department for a minimum of two (2) years. Certifications may be Fire Fighter I or higher, and, or Medical First Responder or EMT or higher.

* Recruit applicant must complete the academic requirements of a two-year or four-year program in either a State Junior College, or Vocational Technical School or a State College and receive a degree certificate for that program. Volunteer service and education requirements need not run concurrent, but should be completed within the grant program life cycle.

Firefighters Fighting Blaze

Details of the requirements are as follows:

1. Recruit/Applicant must join a combination or volunteer department as an active volunteer member.

2. Recruit/Applicant must meet all the requirements of active membership in that department for two years. This is to include meeting all the response and training/drill attendance requirements of that department.

3. Recruit/Applicant must train and be certified as a minimum either Fire Fighter I or First Responder (medical) or EMT. These requirements must be met in the first year of volunteer service.

4. Recruit/Applicant must register and enroll in a Louisiana State funded secondary education institution. This may be done either concurrent with volunteer service or immediately after two years of service if so stated on the Intent to Apply form.

5. Recruit/Applicant must complete the requirements and acquire an associate degree or two-year equivalent degree, or applicant may apply for additional two years of reimbursement by continuing to serve in as a volunteer for two more years and completing requirements for a Baccalaureate degree. Two years of reimbursement may be awarded when half of the four-year requirements are met.

6. Recruit/Applicant must submit the following documents to the board for reimbursement
1. Completed Intent to Apply form
2. All tuition receipts for the entire duration of the studies
3. All required book and material receipts
4. Copy of Fire Fighter I or medical First Responder certificate (or EMT)
5. Signed and notarized affidavit from the Fire Chief of the volunteer department, stating that the Recruit/Applicant has maintained his/her status as active volunteer for the required time and has met the requirements for drill/training attendance and response.
6. Copy of degree or other documents that verify education course completion