Griffo: $250,000 in funding to attract new recruits for volunteer fire departments

ALBANY – State Senator Joseph Griffo announced today that $250,000 has been budgeted to help volunteer fire departments recruit more men and women to their ranks.

As the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY) prepares to kickoff its annual RecruitNY open-house weekend April 23 and 24, Senator Griffo said this funding well help these volunteer departments better promote their recruitment efforts.

The funding, which was approved recently as part of the State Budget, will be used to purchase promotional materials like posters, banners, lawn signs and radio public service announcements.

Senator Griffo also encouraged the public to visit their local volunteer fire departments when they open their doors for the weekend later this month. RecruitNY open-house weekend is a great opportunity for the public to introduce themselves to those who serve their communities, and to educate themselves about what it takes to be a fire volunteer. 

Senator Griffo, R-Rome, said: “Our volunteer firefighters dedicate so much of themselves to the safety of our homes and our lives, despite the many challenges these departments currently face to maintain their operations and expand their ranks. While our departments are struggling to attract volunteers for a number of reasons, I believe there are still many selfless individuals in our communities who will answer this call to service if can we make them aware of how fulfilling this duty can be, and how much their neighborhoods need them. By helping to fund these important recruitment efforts, we can hopefully inspire more men and women to join this respected and courageous service.”

This funding bill was sponsored by State Senator Kathy Marchione, R-Halfmoon.

FASNY has reported that the number of volunteer firefighters across New York has dropped in recent years. There are nearly 105,000 volunteer firefighters active today, less than the 120,000 volunteer firefighters that are staffed statewide today.

For more information, go to FASNY’s website at: www.recruitny.org