RecruitNY weekend is April 29-30 for local fire departments

On April 29-30, fire departments across New York state will participate in the seventh annual RecruitNY state initiative, an annual public awareness initiative to encourage the recruitment and retention of local volunteer firefighters and EMTs.

In an effort to increase membership in the volunteer fire service, more than 388 fire departments across the state have currently signed up for the annual RecruitNY weekend, a major initiative of the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY).

Community members 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. The event 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. People of all ages are welcome and encouraged to attend.

“Joining the volunteer fire service has been the most rewarding experience of my life, and I do not believe I am alone in saying that,” said FASNY President Ken Pienkowski. “Hundreds of volunteer fire departments across New York will be participating in RecruitNY, and we invite all New Yorkers to visit with their local firehouses.”

RecruitNY 2017 is a great opportunity for communities to engage with and support their local fire service, according to organizers.

Established in 2011, RecruitNY is a joint campaign shared by the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY), the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs (NYSAFC), Association of Fire Districts of New York State, Volunteer Fire Police Association of the State of New York, and County Fire Coordinators Association of the State of New York.

Anyone planning to visit their local fire department during RecruitNY weekend, should call ahead to see if they are participating.

The following local fire departments are officially listed as participating in RecruitNY 2017:

• Little Valley Vol. Fire Dept., 101 3rd St., Little Valley. April 29, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Contact Dan Johnson at lvcs1982@yahoo.com or 938-9749.
• South Dayton Vol. Fire Dept., 34 Maple St., South Dayton. April 29, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Contact Jason J. Stoll, jstoll723@gmail.com, 499-8313.
• West Valley Hose Co., Route 240, West Valley. April 29, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Contact Richard Bernstein, rabelectric@hotmail.com, 908-4179.
• Gowanda Fire Rescue, 230 Aldrich St., Gowanda. April 29-30, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Contact Scott Strohmeyer at gowandafirerescue@gmail.com or 532-3434.