Length of Service Awards Program - LOSAP The program was established pursuant to Article 11-A of the General Municipal Law. The program provides municipally-funded pension- like benefits to facilitate the recruitment and retention of active volunteer firefighters.

Volunteer firefighters enjoy tangible benefits, including free training and equipment, tax breaks and essential insurance coverage under the Volunteer Firefighter Benefits Law (VFBL) of New York State. Young volunteers can earn scholarships and tuition reimbursement for college.

Employers in New York must allow their employees to take leave to serve as a volunteer firefighter or a member of a volunteer ambulance service in response to an emergency. However, if an employee's absence would cause an undue hardship, the employer can deny the request for leave.

VOLUNTEERING HAS ITS REWARDS Property tax reductions. State income tax benefits. Free health checkups. Free insurance. College tuition reimbursement. Service pensions. Free equipment and training.

$140K Average Pension for New Full-Career FDNY Retirees.

Are volunteer firefighters paid for their work? Volunteer firefighters freely volunteer their efforts as a way of serving and giving back to their community. They often do not receive monetary compensation from the fire department. If they are paid, it is typically in the form of small stipends or annual bonuses.

Funeral expense: The funeral expenses for volunteer members are payable up to a maximum amount of $6,700. However, if a volunteer firefighter dies from injuries received in the line of duty as the direct result of firefighting, the $6,700 maximum is not applicable.