Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino, Councilwoman Vicki Walsh and Tax Receiver Jeff Pravato joined County Executive Bruce Blakeman and North Hempstead Supervisor Jen DeSena, as well as officials from Nassau County and members of local fire service at the Plainview Fire Department to support a volunteer firefighter recruitment drive underway this weekend throughout New York State. The County Executive officially declared Firefighter Recruitment Week and announced a website to help recruit volunteers to fire service in local communities.
“The men and women of our fire service are heroes in our communities, and Long Island’s bravest need our help with finding new recruits” said Supervisor Saladino. “We’re calling on neighbors to join their ranks so they can continue to provide the best level of protection to their residents. Together with my colleagues in Town government, we take great pleasure in recognizing these exemplary individuals, who put their lives on the line to protect all of ours.”
The weekend of April 13-14, volunteer fire departments across the state will open their doors to allow for residents to learn about what it takes to be a volunteer firefighter in their community, as part of a state-wide recruitment program Recruit NY. The state-wide volunteer fire service has 10,000 fewer members today than it did a decade ago. Over the past several years, statewide fire departments have experienced difficulties in recruiting and retaining volunteers for a variety of reasons. Volunteer fire departments need to bolster their emergency responder numbers, so they can continue to provide the optimum level of protection for their residents. To help further increase recruitment throughout the county, County Executive Blakeman announced the website nassausbravest.com, which outlines requirements and benefits to volunteering in fire service.
During RecruitNY weekend, fire departments will conduct tours of their firehouse and 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. For a full list of participating departments, visit www.recruitny.org.
“I am proud to stand beside my colleagues in government to help our local fire departments expand their memberships and help make their service safer,” said Supervisor Saladino. “When things are at their worst, they are at their best. They deserve our assistance and highest praise.”