RecruitNY will return this year

RecruitNY will return this year

FINGER LAKES--To help assist in the difficulty of recruiting new volunteer firefighters during the pandemic, the Firefighters Association of the State of New York is allowing firehouses across the state to hold both virtual and in-person open houses April 24 and 25. The switch to a digital format was instigated after the normal annual recruiting event, RecruitNY, had to be canceled in 2020.
"Hundreds of volunteer fire departments across New York will be participating in RecruitNY," said FASNY President John Farrell in a prepared statement. "We invite all New Yorkers to attend an open house and safely experience what it means to be a volunteer firefighter."
Listed on the recruitny.org website as participating in the event for Yates County is the Dresden Fire Department and in Schuyler is the Beaver Dams Fire Department.
While not participating in the event, recruitment during COVID was particularly difficult for the Penn Yan Fire Department as prospective recruits couldn't have their membership voted on with no meetings taking place for six months.
"In the last six months we have gotten three new volunteers, but we could always use more," said Penn Yan Firefighter and State Firefighter Instructor Derek Christensen.
While the event will have a virtual component, members of the public will still be able to visit firehouses across the state that choose to allow in-person tours. Along with serving as a recruitment tool, the weekend will also serve as an opportunity for members of the public to interact with their local firefighters.
"After the year we have been through, RecruitNY weekend can provide people with the opportunity to interact with the responders who are dedicated to protecting them," said Farrell.
During the weekend, firefighters will be conducting tours of their facilities, demonstrating firefighting techniques, and visitors will be allowed to view turnout gear.
Recruitment of firefighters was difficult even before the pandemic hit, with many departments across the state facing decreased membership combined with increased call volume. Part of that issue stems from the time required to be a volunteer.
"That's the biggest thing I hear from people, that they can't commit the time to attend the training classes that are required to be an active member," Christensen said.
And the number of required hours to become certified has not changed since COVID happened.
"The need to bolster their ranks is critical to providing optimum and necessary levels of protection for their residents," said FASNY.
The Firemen's Association of the State of New York was founded in 1872 and represents the interests of approximately 110,000 volunteer firefighters and emergency medical personnel in the state.
For additional information about the recruitment weekend visit http://www.recruitny.org/participation-area/.