New York Fire Departments hope to add volunteers during ‘RecruitNY’ weekend

Year after year fire departments across the country struggle to recruit volunteers.

This weekend, in an effort by the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York, (FASNY) to recruit more volunteer firefighters, about 435 fire departments across New York State will welcome new members during the seventh annual ‘RecruitNY’ event.

From April 29th-30th stations will host facility tours, demonstrate firefighting techniques, and allow visitors to try on gear.

“Without the new, younger recruits coming in, nobody is going to be around to see the fire service continue as a volunteer,” said First Assistant Chief at East Maine Fire Company, Shawn Ramsey

The East Maine Fire Company on East Maine Road is one of the 18 stations in Broome County taking part in ‘RecruitNY’ weekend. The station has 20 active members, but with a limited staff, keeping up with daily responsibilities is challenging.

“We’re running a usual 10 to 15 guys on a good day,” Firefighter for East Maine Fire Company, Stephen Harahus, said. “Any other day, you’re running five, six guys and that means you have to get every other fire department around in the area to come.”

A decline in volunteers is a nationwide trend. The number of volunteer firefighters in the United States has dropped 12% since 1984, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

A contributing factor for the decrease is the high demand in training requirements, especially those unfamiliar with the job.

James Bryan, a firefighter Captain for East Maine Fire Company, is a third generation firefighter. He says the fire service is a family affair and recruiting outsiders is difficult.

“To come just straight into the fire service, without any ties is scary for people because there is a lot of commitment and they don’t really know what’s involved,” said Bryan

To find out which fire departments are taking part in ‘RecruitNY,’ you can visit their website by clicking here.