Some local fire departments are taking part in this weekend’s annual Recruit NY public awareness initiative aimed at the recruitment and retention of local volunteer firefighters and EMTs.
To find the list of departments that will be taking part in events across the Finger Lakes, Central New York, and Southern Tier, click here.
Currently, there are around 80,000 active volunteer firefighting personnel, down 33% over the past two decades. Local volunteer firefighters save taxpayers $4.7 billion annually.
“Local volunteer firefighters and emergency workers are the backbone of rural communities, but unfortunately, over the past couple of decades, they have seen their numbers dwindle, with some stations even having to shut down. This is why the RecruitNY weekend is so important, we need to make people aware of the opportunities available to them in the firehouse. Being a firefighter takes a dedicated, selfless person with a passion for service to others. If you fit that description, I urge you to consider attending a local RecruitNY event this weekend, and if you are unable to join, just stop in and say thank you,” said Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R-C, Corning).
Palmesano represents the 132nd District, which includes parts of Chemung County, Schuyler County, Seneca County, Steuben County and Yates County.
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