Firefighters plan open house times

FINGER LAKES—Volunteer fire departments across New York State will open their doors and fire truck bays to local residents during the weekend of Saturday, April 26 and Sunday, April 27 as part of the fourth annual RecruitNY statewide volunteer firefighter recruitment effort.  RecruitNY is designed to help increase volunteer membership which has suffered over the last few years due to various factors including the state of the economy.
During RecruitNY weekend, fire departments will conduct tours of their firehouses and fire apparatus, allow visitors to try on turnout gear, and provide visitor activities and stations throughout the firehouse. Members will discuss the volunteer requirements and rewards that come with being a volunteer firefighter, as well as conduct demonstrations, answer questions and let visitors know how to go about joining their fire department.
“Last year, nearly 600 departments in 59 counties across the state participated in RecruitNY and we expect even more counties to get involved this year,” said James A. Burns, president of the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY). “We encourage departments to sign up to let their communities know of their participation. RecruitNY is a key initiative to help bolster membership numbers.”

• The Dundee Fire Department will be open April 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will have members there to answer questions and show people around the station. The Branchport/Keuka Park Fire Department at 3686 Route 54A in Branchport will be open April 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will be conducting car seat inspections and finger printing. The Dresden Fire Department at 3 Firehouse Ave. will be open April 26 and 27 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will hold showings and demonstrations of equipment. The Penn Yan Fire Department at 125 Elm St. will be conducting their tour of the firehouse April 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. They will also be conducting demonstrations of their equipment during the event.

• There are four participating fire departments in Schuyler County listed on the recruitny.org website. The Watkins Glen Fire Department at 201 N. Perry St. will be open April 26 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will have an open forum for questions along with a station tour. The Tyrone Fire Department at 3600 Route 226 will be open April 26 from 9 a.m. to noon. The Mecklenburg Volunteer Fire Company at 4495 McIntyre Road in Trumansburg will be open April 27 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and will hold fire engine, apparatus and extrication demonstrations. The Monterey Volunteer Fire Company at 1465 South St. in Beaver Dams is open April 27 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.