STATE TROOPERS RECEIVE OK TO JOIN FIRE, AMBULANCE STAFFS.(Local)

Byline: Staff and wire reports

Reversing a longstanding policy, State Police Superintendent Thomas Constantine said Friday that troopers will be allowed to join volunteer fire departments and ambulance squads.

The action, which frees almost 4,000 people to volunteer, is expected to be a boon to small town fire and rescue squads now struggling with staff shortages.

"We welcome them," said James Egan, president of Colonie's Shaker Road-Loudonville fire company. "We'll accept anyone who lives or works in the district. We're badly hurt for men."

Egan recalled one fire company member who had to resign as a firefighter when he became a state …