Volunteer Fire Departments across New York State are in desperate need of members and those in the Fingerlakes are no exception. To help alleviate this problem, one local district is inviting community members to get a firsthand look at what it means to be a volunteer.
Scott Kehoe is the Fleming Fire District Chief. He told Finger Lakes News Radio that he is encouraging residents to come to the station for community meetings where attendees can meet with current members, ask questions, fill out applications, and see the current members drill. He said there are a number of roles volunteers can take, spanning a variety of skill and commitment levels.
“We’re looking at anybody, any age, who wants to come in and volunteer their time to either be a firefighter or a medical responder,” Kehoe said. “There are Emergency Medical Technicians, interior firefighters and exterior firefighters, or even somebody that just wants to do office work.”
He added that the department also allows teens aged 16-18 to become junior members of the department through its Junior Firefighter Program.
“At that age, they come in and start learning the basics of the fire department,” Kehoe continued. “They can take certain state fire classes to prepare themselves for becoming a full member.”
With the dissolution of the Fleming Fire Protection District and its replacement with the Fleming Fire District in October, each of the two fire companies serving Fleming is responsible for recruiting its own members with the district giving formal approval to join the district.
“Each station is still its own fire corporation so it actually recruits the members,” Kehoe explained. “You’re joining the organization and then the fire district is the one who has to say ‘Yes, you passed your physical and can now be a member of the fire district."”
While the meetings take place at Fleming Fire Company No. 1, both companies are in need of volunteers.
The community meetings will take place every Monday, except for major holidays, beginning at 7:00p at the station (6063 W Lake Rd, Auburn).
