Financial help may soon be on the way to keep some of Long Island?s bravest on the job as volunteer firefighters and medical techs.

Congresswoman Sue Kelly (R-NY) is proposing a bill that would give New York volunteers a $250 tax credit. Congressman Peter King (R-Seaford) supports the measure and feels it would help shore up the state's dwindling ranks. King says 15 years ago there were 140,000 volunteers, now there are 110,000. Congressman Steve Israel (D-Huntington) is co-sponsoring a similar bill that would provide a $1,000 credit.

Syosset Fire Commissioner Frank Valise says his district, like the majority of fire districts on Long Island, are comprised of all volunteers. Valise says the men and woman who put their lives on the line for no pay use their own pagers, cell phones and cars to respond to fires.