FIRE DEPARTMENTS ACROSS THE STATE GEAR UP FOR SECOND ANNUAL “RECRUIT NY” WEEKEND TO HELP INCREASE NUMBER OF VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS

Statewide Firefighter Recruitment Open Houses to be Held April 21 – 22

(NEW YORK) Volunteer fire departments across New York State will open their doors and fire truck bays to local residents as part of the second-ever statewide volunteer firefighter recruitment effort called RecruitNY, in an effort to help increase membership. To coincide with National Volunteer Week, fire departments will hold recruitment drives during the weekend of Saturday, April 21 and Sunday, April 22 at their respective firehouses, where visitors will be able to listen to current members talk about the duties and rewards that come with being a volunteer firefighter.

During RecruitNY weekend, fire departments will conduct tours of their firehouse and fire apparatus, allow visitors to try on turnout gear, and provide visitor activities and stations throughout the firehouse. Members will discuss the requirements to be a volunteer, as well as conduct demonstrations, answer questions, and let visitors know how to join their fire department.

“Last year, fire departments in more than 50 counties across the state participated in the first annual RecruitNY weekend, and we expect even more counties to get involved this year,” said David Jacobowitz, president of the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY). “Over the last several years, it has been tough for many fire departments to recruit and retain volunteers for many reasons, including the turbulent economy. RecruitNY is an important initiative to help bolster membership numbers so that fire departments can continue to provide the optimum level of protection to their residents.”

Established in 2011, RecruitNY is a joint undertaking 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.

For fire departments that would like to sign up for RecruitNY, simply log on to http://recruitny.org/opendoors.php and fill out the participation form. The program provides fire departments with access to recruitment resources, communication tools, posters, banners, etc. via http://recruitny.org/resources.php to help a firehouse hold a recruitment open house.

For area residents looking for more information, or to find out if your fire department is participating in RecruitNY, visit www.recruitny.org or contact your local fire department via a non-emergency phone number or its website.

  firefighters, rockland county, volunteer