Gov. Ned Lamont on Tuesday announced a legislative proposal to help recruit and retain firefighters and police officers in the state. It comes as public safety forces in Connecticut and nationally are facing a lack of qualified applicants.

“For more than a decade the fire and law enforcement professions have seen trends of declining staffing and hiring impacting public safety,” said Connecticut State Fire Administrator Jeffrey Morrissette, who joined the governor and other officials at a news conference on the bill in Hartford.

But that decline has now gotten to a breaking point.

“This is a crisis in Connecticut. And people's lives are absolutely at stake because of the recruitment and retention crisis we're experiencing,” stated Comptroller Sean Scanlon.

“With the constant barrage of negative press, ever more challenging expectations and an inability to compete with a more lucrative private sector, the very individuals our profession requires are simply not applying,” added Chief Vincent DeMaio, of the Clinton Police Department.

That's why the governor proposed two new incentives to attract people to public safety careers and remain there. One would waive tuition and fees for undergraduate and graduate programs at all Connecticut public colleges and universities. It includes the University of Connecticut, the Connecticut State University system, and Connecticut State Community Colleges. The waiver would apply to state and local police officers and firefighters with five or more years of service, as well as students attending the Connecticut Fire Academy.

“You're serving your state. We want to do everything we can to make sure you are able to continue your education and do it right,” Lamont explained.

The second incentive would create a mortgage assistance program for public safety professionals through the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority. This assistance could include down payment support or other housing subsidies.

“I really want you to be able to live in the town you're serving. I want you to be able to be part of the community cause you care so much,” said Lamont.

The governor received plenty of support for the proposed legislation on Tuesday with fire and police leaders calling it a step in the right direction to combat the trend.

“By creating meaningful incentives, we are sending a strong message that Connecticut values their service and is committed to helping them build sustainable and long-term careers,” stated Connecticut State Fire Marshal Lauri Volkert.

The bill is currently being considered by the Public Safety and Security Committee, which is expected to hold a public hearing on it soon.

“Firefighters and police officers are not just statistics on a paper that keep getting smaller. It is incumbent on us to take action, be bold and put things in place,” said State Rep. Pat Boyd, who co-chairs the committee.