Rockland clerk announces new discounts for Rockland volunteer first responders

Rockland County Clerk Paul Piperato announced the establishment of a new program that offers local business discounts to Rockland’s volunteer emergency service workers.

The Rockland S.A.V.E.S. Lives Program (Salutes All Volunteer Emergency Services), was created in recognition of the altruistic efforts of these volunteers, as well as the serious need for their recruitment and retention.

Most of Rockland’s first responder agencies are comprised of unpaid volunteers (firefighters, ambulance personnel and auxiliary police). “In addition to selflessly working to insure that Rockland residents are safe, these volunteers save millions of dollars of taxpayer money. There is a severe shortage of volunteers and it is critical that new motivations be created to entice individuals to join agencies and continue to volunteer,” said Piperato. The program begins today with 153 business discounts, ranging from automotive services to restaurants. Once the program is fully developed in Rockland, Piperato plans to help replicate it in other counties throughout New York State, and then the rest of the country.

In 2008, Piperato introduced “Return the F.A.V.O.R. (Find and Assist Vets of Record) Program in Rockland, a similar discount program for veterans. This program now boasts 700 business discounts, 4,000 veterans and has been replicated in 56 of New York State’s 62 counties. Deputy County Executive J. Guillermo Rosa and Gordon Wren, Director of Fire & Emergency Services both spoke about their support for the program and how it will benefit the County of Rockland.

Businesses can enroll in the program by downloading an application on the County Clerk’s website, www.rocklandcountyclerk.com, where a program summary and business discount list can also be found.