RecruitNY open house set for end of April

More than 300 fire departments across New York state have already signed up for the seventh annual Recruit- NY 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 effort to increase membership in the volunteer fire service.

Members of the public are invited to visit their local firehouses, where volunteer firefighters will be conducting tours of their facilities, demonstrating firefighting techniques, and allowing visitors to try on turnout gear. These activities, and more, will give visitors a taste of what it means to be in the fire service, and volunteer firefighters will be on hand to discuss the requirements and rewards of joining. All are welcome and encouraged to attend, including families with children.

The volunteer fire service is an integral part of both life and the economy in New York state. In 2016, FASNY released an economic impact report, which quantifies the value of the volunteer fire service and its associated tax savings throughout the state. The report concluded that the annual cost of a replacement, all-paid fire service would be $3.87 billion.