TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators John A. Girgenti and Paul A Sarlo, which would require county colleges to award college credits to firefighters for completion of certain courses in county fire academies, was approved today by the full Senate.
“Firefighters demonstrate true bravery when they risk their own lives, and storm into burning buildings in order to save our property and our lives,” said Senator Girgenti, D-Bergen and Passaic and Chairman of the Senate Law, Public Safety and Veterans Affairs Committee. “Firefighters gain hands on experience that can go beyond class room courses. This bill would allow firefighters to transfer their fire academy credits to a county college. By earning the credits while working, these men and women can work towards a college degree.”
The bill, S-339, would allow firefighters to earn college credit for work they do at the academy. The bill would also require the fire academy and the college of the same county to work together to identify courses at the academy which offer a curriculum similar to that of courses included in the county college’s fire science program.
“This measure would help promote the increased educational opportunities available for fire fighters,” said Senator Sarlo, D-Bergen, Essex and Passaic. “These men and women put their lives on the line to help ensure the safety of the people of New Jersey, and they should receive the best possible training, whether at a fire academy or county college.”