How does $500 off your property tax bill sound? In Middletown Township, all you need to do is sign up to be a volunteer first responder.

Middletown Mayor Tony Perry announced the new incentives for people thinking about moving into town or for those already living here. If you sign up to become a volunteer first responder, you're eligible for up to $500 of local property tax reimbursement. If you're a home buyer, the township will assist you with your down payment of up to $10,000 and waive other fees.

Middletown officials say that it is important to get ahead of volunteer shortages before it’s too late.

“We need to make sure that we have volunteers that are willing to run into those burning buildings, go out to those accidents and scenes and help their fellow community members,” says Perry. “If we don't do it now, I can't guarantee…that we're going to have the same number of volunteers.”

While volunteer numbers remain strong in Middletown, other departments and EMT squads across the state have reported shortages of volunteers.

For more information on the programs available, stop by Middletown Town Hall, call 732-615-2000 or visit the town's website HERE.