RecruitNY Weekend: April 23 & April 24

RecruitNY Weekend: April 23 & April 24

Have you ever thought about serving your community as a volunteer firefighter? If so, then you’ll definitely want to visit a participating local fire company during “RecruitNY Weekend” this coming Saturday, April 23, and Sunday, April 24.

Sponsored by the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY), RecruitNY Weekend is a recruitment and retention initiative that highlights the need and benefits of becoming a volunteer firefighter. During RecruitNY Weekend, volunteer departments across the State open their doors and invite the community in. As part of RecruitNY, open houses will provide information about the membership process, available free training programs, responsibilities and what a typical day-in-the-life of a volunteer firefighter involves. Individuals will also learn about some of the benefits they can receive from volunteering, like tax breaks offered by the state and some local communities.

I secured $250,000 as part of the 2016-17 State Budget to support the recruitment and retention of local volunteer firefighters to help promote public safety and protect local communities. You can watch a video of the press conference I recently held with FASNY announcing this funding and also the kick-off to RecruitNY Weekend by clicking here.

My office reached out to all fire companies across the 43rd Senate District and offered to share information on their RecruitNY events for this coming weekend. The following are some of the many local RecruitNY Weekend events being held:

Chatham Fire Department

10 Hoffman Street, Chatham, NY 12037

Saturday and Sunday, April 23 and April 24

10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Open house tool demonstration, snack foods, video and over a hundred years of experience available to answer questions.

Contact: David Chapman RecruitNY@Chathamfire.net

Hillcrest Fire Department, Halfmoon

145 Pruyn Hill Road, Halfmoon, NY 12118

Saturday, April 23

Noon to 4:00 p.m.

Fire Truck Tours, SCBA and Gear demonstrations, Ambulance Rig Tours, New Member Information, Light Refreshments.

Contact: Adam Higgins, higgs490@gmail.com

Speigletown Fire Department

146 Speigletown Road, Troy, NY 12182

Saturday, April 23

9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Tours as well as displays of equipment used in the fire and EMS service.

Contact: William Maloney, chief35@nycap.rr.com

Waterford Fire Department

22 Division Street, Waterford, NY 12188

Saturday, April 23

11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Waterford Fire Department is looking for dedicated volunteers. If you’ve always been curious or just want to find out more about the organization, the minimum commitments, or just how you can help your fellow neighbors, stop by and say hi. The Department will have demonstrations and various activities for the entire family.

Contact: Wayne Redick, wkredick@gmail.com

W.K. Mansfield Hose Company West Crescent Fire District

1440 Crescent Rd, Halfmoon, NY 12065

Saturday and Sunday, April 23 and April 24

Sat., 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.; Sun., 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Live demonstrations that include, on Saturday, a smoke house, the Town of Clifton Park fire prevention bus and 10-year smoke detector for seniors in the district. The new engine rescue 694 will be christened through a wet down ceremony at 2 o’clock. Sunday activities will include a pancake breakfast from 8-11, followed by an auto extrication demo and, from 1-2, there will be a fire extinguisher demo.

Contact: Ken Perry, kenperry138@gmail.com

South Schodack Volunteer Fire Company

1567 Bame Road, Castleton, NY 12033

Saturday, April 23

10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Free Family Fun Day – Watch firefighters breach a wall. Learn to use a fire extinguisher. Games for kids with prizes. Spray water with a fire hose, Water wars. Free blood pressure readings. Information on the NYS burn ban. Free hot dogs and popcorn. Learn how to become a firefighter, applications available, age 16 and older. CHICKEN BARBECUE, Take out only 1-3 p.m. (or until it’s gone!) $10 Dinners include: ½ chicken, baked potato, cabbage slaw, corn and roll.

Stephentown Volunteer Fire Department

The Department will hold a recruiting day and open house on Saturday, April 23, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at their fire station on Route 43. Stephentown residents of all ages are needed: looking for junior members from age 16-17. Students joining can lead to a career in the emergency services or many related fields. Retired residents make excellent ambulance drivers and mentors. They have no retirement age. Volunteers are the first responders to all manner of local emergencies. In addition to firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and fire police, the Department needs personnel for administrative work, fire prevention programs, integrating social and technical programs to form a cohesive force on the emergency ground. The Department will have refreshments and a cookout. Stop by, talk to members and see how you can fit in. The personal rewards are immense, volunteering keeps taxes low and the system endures if YOU volunteer.

Contact: Bob Adler, bobadler@nycap.rr.com, 733-5749

Brunswick Fire Company No. 1 Firehouse

566 Hoosick Road

Saturday, April 23

11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Sunday, April 24

11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Stop in and speak to a member about joining!

Contact: Gus Scifo, gus.scifo@brunswickfire.org

For a complete listing of events for all fire companies in the 43rd Senate District, and for more details on RecruitNY Weekend, go to www.recruitny.org. Thank you – and THANK YOU to all of our courageous firefighters who protect and serve their communities!