Volunteer fire departments to hold RecruitNY weekend

More than 300 volunteer fire departments throughout New York State are gearing up for the annual RecruitNY weekend, an initiative by the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY) to recruit new volunteer firefighters.

On April 29-30, participating fire departments will open their doors and welcome members of the public to visit their local firehouses. Volunteer firefighters will conduct tours, demonstrate fire techniques and allow visitors to try on turnout gear.

Everybody is encouraged to attend at participating departments, including families with children.

“Joining the volunteer fire service has been the most rewarding experience of my life, and I know I am not 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. Visitors may be surprised to find their very own neighbors and friends already serving in the fire department, and just may be inspired to join them in protecting the community.”

A report released by FASNY in 2016 states that to replace all volunteer fire departments in the state with paid fire services, it would cost $3.87 billion per year, and property taxes would rise by an estimated 26.5 percent. FASNY says these figures do not include the costs of acquiring the necessary facilities and equipment to accommodate paid fire services.

Local volunteer fire departments who would like to sign up to participate in the RecruitNY weekend can log into recruitny.org/signup and fill out the participation form. The program provides all participating departments with access to recruitment resources, communication tools, posters, banners and more

If you would like to see a full list of participating fire departments and their addresses, click here.

Here are some of the local fire departments participating in the RecruitNY weekend:

HERKIMER COUNTY:

  • Cedarville Fire Department
  • Dolgeville Fire Department
  • Frankfort Fire Department
  • Frankfort Hill Volunteer Fire Company
  • Newport Vol. Fire Company No. 4
  • Poland Volunteer Fire Company

ONEIDA COUNTY:

  • Deerfield Fire Department
  • Floyd Volunteer Fire Department
  • McConnellsville Volunteer Fire Department
  • New Hartford Fire Department
  • Oriskany Fire Department
  • Otter Lake Fire Company
  • Verona Volunteer Fire Department
  • Western Fire Department
  • Whitesboro Volunteer Fire Department
  • Woodgate Volunteer Fire Department
  • Yorkville Fire Department

OTSEGO COUNTY:

  • Unadilla Fire Department & Emergency Squad
  • West Oneonta Fire Department

MADISON COUNTY:

  • Chittenango Fire Company
  • DeRuyter Volunteer Fire Department
  • Hamilton Fire Department
  • Lincoln Volunteer Fire Department
  • Morrisville Fire Department
  • Munnsville Fire Department
  • New Woodstock Volunteer Fire Department
  • Wampsville Fire Deparment

CHENANGO COUNTY:

  • Bainbridge Fire Department
  • Greene Fire Department
  • Plymouth Fire Department