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For too many years people, especially those living in rural communities, have taken their volunteer fire companies for granted. Part of that is due, of course, to the widespread impression that should a fire or other emergency occur in a home, business or industrial site, the volunteer firefighters would arrive…

Few will soon forget the inferno at the High Tread International plant in Lockport last summer that sadly claimed the life of a teenager. The fire burned four days, billowing toxic smoke. Nor will folks around here forget the November fire at the former Bethlehem Steel plant the mayor called…

Chicken in Bergen, beef in Byron, hot dogs in Fancher and an ice cream social in Bethany. That’s just a few things available in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties this weekend as nearly two dozen volunteer fire departments are conducting open houses as part of the seventh annual RecruitNY campaign.…

Several local fire departments were sounding the alarm for more volunteers Tuesday. The seventh Firemen's Association of the State of New York (FASNY) annual recruitment campaign kicked off at the Chili Fire Department in the morning. Volunteer fire departments across the state will open their doors to the community this…

Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz was joined Monday by the Doyle Hose Co. No. 1 Chief Don Szumigala, representatives of the Erie County Emergency Services department, Firemen's Association of the State of New York President Ken Pienkowski, and volunteer firefighters from local districts at Doyle Hose Co. No. 1…

ALBANY — Nearly 400 fire departments across New York state have already signed up for the seventh annual RecruitNY weekend, a major initiative of the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY). On April 29-30, firehouses across the State will open their doors to the public in an…

Nearly 400 fire departments across New York State plan to host open houses next weekend as part of the seventh annual RecruitNY weekend, an initiative to attract more volunteer firefighters. More than 40 fire departments will be hosting open houses in Onondaga, Cayuga, Madison and Oswego counties, according to Firemen's…

On Monday, local officials highlighted a campaign which aims to recruit new volunteer firefighters to help protect Erie County residents. The initiative is RecruitNY. On Monday, Erie Country Executive Mark Poloncarz among other leaders gathered at Doyle Hose Company 1 on William Street in Cheektowaga to kick off the seventh…

If you ask Joe Tasker, he'll tell you becoming a volunteer firefighter was one of the best decisions he's ever made. "Everybody kind of comes together and works as a team. When you’re on a scene like that, everyone comes together and it's stuff you don't forget," said Tasker. But…

Three local fire companies are joining a state-wide push this weekend to recruit volunteer firefighters, drivers, emergency medical technicians and more. Wilson, Cambria and South Lockport fire companies are all hoping to gain more volunteers during the seventh annual RecruitNY weekend, a major initiative of the Firemen’s Association of the…