Fire Departments Host Open Houses for RecruitNY

The Farmington Volunteer Fire Association’s open house Saturday is an opportunity for the community to learn more about what it takes to become a volunteer with the department, said Gary Weidenborner, a firefighter with the department for about five years.

“We’ll have it all opened up, and anyone can come in and ask any questions they wish,” he said.

The Farmington department will hold a volunteer open house from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Farmington Station No. 1, 135 N. Hook Road, and Farmington Station No. 2, 1225 Hook Road.

The open house is part of RecruitNY 2013, the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York’s (FASNY) annual recruitment-based open house event. The event — in which fire departments across the state are participating — coincides with National Volunteer Week. Established in 2011, RecruitNY is a joint undertaking by the FASNY, the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs, the Association of Fire Districts of New York State, the Volunteer Fire Police Association of the State of New York and the County Fire Coordinators Association of the State of New York.

Last year, more than 430 fire departments in 55 counties across the state held recruitment open houses, according to the FASNY.

Weidenborner said firefighters will be available to answer questions about volunteering with the department, including inquiries about training and requirements. Farmington’s entirely volunteer department has about 40 active firefighters and another 100 social members, he said.

Weidenborner said that, at times, “it’s hard to have the people we need to man the equipment” with the current number of volunteers in the department.

“We hope to get more members,” he said. “We hope to get a good turnout. If people are willing to put in the time in the community, come and talk to us.”

Also in Ontario County, the Oaks Corners Fire Department in Phelps is opening its doors Saturday to area residents. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the department, located at 607 Cross Road, will conduct tours of the station and firefighter apparatus, allow visitors to try on turnout gear, and provide activities and stations throughout the firehouse for visitors to participate in. Department members will discuss the requirements to be a volunteer, as well as conduct demonstrations, answer questions and explain how to get involved in the department. A “sketty dinner” will follow from 4 to 7 p.m.

For more information, contact Christopher Stobie, recruitment officer, at (585) 770-4356 or reconwrestler@yahoo.com.

The Port Gibson Volunteer Fire Department, which serves a fire district in the towns of Manchester and Palmyra, is hosting an open house from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday. Its station is located at 2939 Greig St. in Port Gibson.