What's Happening in Northvale, NJ…

In order to increase the number of people volunteering as firefighters and emergency medical personnel, Northvale recently passed a measure that would allow people who volunteer to receive city funding for their education.

Under the new measure, volunteers who are in good standing would receive tuition credits. These would apply to vocational schools, county colleges, or technical institutions.

Northvale's mayor, Ed Piehler, said there is a constant need for volunteers in both Northvale and throughout the county, and that membership drives are always being held to fill the ranks of the Ambulance Corps and the Fire Department. He noted that both organizations are made up entirely of volunteers.

The borough clerk says that Northvale has about 57 volunteer firefighters, and 37 volunteers in the Ambulance Corps. The president of the Volunteer Ambulance Corps is Peter Sotiropoulos, a city councilman, who has been with the organization for over 30 years. He is committed to the corps and wants to see it continue, noting that whatever keeps people on the job is good. He also says that ambulance and fire services are far more effective when locals run them.

In order to spread the word about this opportunity, Northvale officials might work with a flyer printing company on a mailer that describes the need for volunteers, and the fact they can now earn tuition credit.