Westchester Insider: DES Chief of Training Named to State Panel.

CHIEF LUCI LABRIOLA-CUFFE APPOINTED BY GOVERNOR TO NYS VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION TASK FORCE.

 

(Valhalla, NY) -- Luci Labriola-Cuffe, chief of the Fire Training Branch at the Department of Emergency Services, has been appointed by Gov. Hochul to the New York State Volunteer Firefighter Recruitment and Retention Task Force.

 

The task force is charged with developing recommendations to help volunteer fire departments increase membership in their ranks. It will examine firefighter training requirements, review the success of programs that provide incentives to volunteers, and suggest new ways to assist fire departments that are facing a decline in membership.

 

“I congratulate Chief Labriola-Cuffe on this appointment and thank her for being willing to take on this important work,” County Executive George Latimer said. “Most communities in Westchester are served by volunteer fire departments and it is critical to public safety that their ranks remain vital and strong.”

 

Labriola-Cuffe 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.

 

“I am 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.

 

DES Commissioner Richard G. Wishnie said, “Luci brings a wealth of experience to the task force through the many roles she has held. Her appointment is a testament to the respect she has earned from all in the fire service in Westchester. We are proud she has been selected and we stand ready to assist this task force in any way we can.”

 

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 retention;

·         preparing 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.