FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION HIGHLIGHTS RECRUITMENT NEEDS WITH ‘LIGHT UP NY RED’ CAMPAIGN
From Firehouses to Landmarks: FASNY Urges New Yorkers to Light Up the State Red April 21-27
Albany, N.Y., April 2, 2025 — Volunteer fire departments across New York State will open their doors to residents the weekend of Saturday, April 26 to Sunday, April 27 as part of the 16th annual RecruitNY weekend.
This event is a major initiative of the Firefighters Association of the State of New York (FASNY) designed to help increase volunteer membership in local fire departments.
Coinciding with RecruitNY, the Association is once again adding a little color into the mix. To publicize the need for volunteer firefighters and increase staffing at the state’s volunteer departments, FASNY will kick-off the second annual “Light Up NY Red” campaign from April 21-27. During this week, FASNY is asking that residents as well as local businesses, landmarks, and government buildings turn their lights red.
“We are hoping that all New Yorkers will help us shine the ‘light’ red for the recruitment of volunteer firefighters across the state this April,” said FASNY President Eugene Perry. “FASNY is working with state and local officials to get some of New York’s biggest landmarks involved in this program again this year. It would be great if we could see more and more lights shine red in support of this initiative, and to help departments gain more and more volunteers.”
Past partners that have “lit up red” included: the Niagara Falls State Park, JMA Wireless Dome at Syracuse University (home of the Syracuse Orange football, basketball, and lacrosse teams), and the county seats in Nassau, Suffolk, and Oneida Counties, as well as other local government buildings throughout the state.
“These lights symbolize FASNY’s commitment to a tradition of community and a sense of comradery and we are very grateful for the support,” said President Perry.
The past several years have been challenging for volunteer fire departments throughout the state, with many facing decreased membership and increasing call volumes. It has been estimated that there are 40,000 fewer volunteer firefighters than there were two decades ago. Departments have found it increasingly challenging to recruit new firefighters and retain existing volunteers due to the turbulent economy, busy lives and schedules, and other lifestyle factors.
In communities across the state, volunteer firefighters answer calls for medical emergencies, home emergencies including flooded basements, lithium battery fires, downed power lines, automobile accidents, and of course fires– both residential and commercial. More firefighters are needed to help meet these 21st-century challenges, and bolstering their ranks is critical to providing optimum and necessary levels of protection for residents.
FASNY would like to showcase your “Light Up NY Red” efforts — both in their Volunteer Firefighter Magazine and on the Association’s social media platforms with the hashtag #LightUpNYRed. Also please send your photos with a short caption to photos@fasny.com.
About FASNY
Founded in 1872, the Firefighters Association of the State of New York (FASNY) represents the interests of the 80,000 volunteer firefighters in New York State. For more information, visit fasny.com.