More than 500 fire departments registered for statewide recruitment weekend

ALBANY — More than 500 fire departments across New York have already signed up for the 9th Annual RecruitNY Weekend. RecruitNY is a cornerstone campaign of the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY), with the goal of increasing membership in the State’s volunteer fire service. The 2019 RecruitNY weekend is scheduled for April 27-28.

During the weekend, volunteer fire departments will open their doors and provide the public with a glimpse of what it means to be a volunteer firefighter. Potential volunteers will have the opportunity to speak with active volunteers and participate in typical fire service activities. The weekend also enables citizens to better understand the role the local fire department plays in protecting their community.

“It is a privilege and an honor to serve as a volunteer firefighter,” said FASNY President Steven Klein. “The fire service is a family. Across New York State, volunteers are eager to discuss the possibility of joining this family. RecruitNY is a wonderful opportunity for New Yorkers to meet their neighbors who help keep them safe and to learn if joining might be right for them.”

The volunteer fire service has a long, proud heritage in New York and is deeply integrated into the social fabric of the State. Volunteer fire departments not only answer emergency calls, but they often serve as key community organizations.

In addition, volunteer firefighters save New Yorkers money. In 2016, FASNY released an economic impact report, which concluded that the annual cost of a replacement, all-paid fire service would be $3.87 billion. Furthermore, property taxes in New York State would rise by an estimated average of 26.5%. These figures do not factor in the costs of acquiring the necessary facilities and equipment needed to accommodate a paid fire service. The volunteer fire service, and efforts like RecruitNY, make the State not only safer, but also more affordable.

Established in 2011, RecruitNY is an undertaking by the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY) and supported by 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.

Area residents looking to see if their fire department is participating in RecruitNY can visit http://www.recruitny.org/participation-area/ or they can contact their local fire department via a non-emergency phone number.

Fire departments that would like to sign up for RecruitNY can log on to www.recruitny.org/signup and fill out the participation form. The program provides fire departments with access to recruitment resources, communication tools, posters, banners, and more.