1st Responder Newspaper - NY
“Recruitny” Volunteer fire departments across New York State will open their doors and fire truck bays to local residents during the weekend of April 26 and April 27 as part of the fourth annual RecruitNY statewide volunteer firefighter recruitment effort. RecruitNY is designed to help increase volunteer membership, which has suffered over the last few years. During RecruitNY weekend, fire departments will conduct tours JUMP TO FILE # of their firehouses 030714117 and fire apparatus, allow visitors to try on turnout gear, and provide visitor activities and stations throughout the firehouse. Members will discuss the volunteer requirements and rewards that come with being a volunteer firefighter, as well as conduct demonstrations, answer questions, and let visitors know how to go about joining their fire department. “Last year, nearly 600 departments in 59 counties across the state participated in RecruitNY and we expect even more counties to get involved this year,” said James A. Burns, president of the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York. “We encourage departments to sign up to let their communities know of their participation. RecruitNY has proven a success in past years and is a key initiative to help bolster membership numbers so fire departments can continue to provide the optimum level of protection to their local residents.” Established in 2011, RecruitNY is a joint undertaking by FASNY, the NYSAFC, Association of Fire Districts of New York State, Volunteer Fire Police Association of the State of New York, and County Fire Coordinators Association of the State of New York. For fire departments that would like to sign up for RecruitNY, simply log on to www.recruitny.org/signup and fill out the participation form. The program provides fire departments with access to recruitment resources, communication tools, posters, banners, etc.. In addition to the annual RecruitNY campaign, FASNY is in the midst of a multi-year, yearround volunteer firefighter recruitment and retention program across New York State made possible by a $4.2 million United States Department of Homeland Security Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant that began in 2011. To learn more about the “Fire In You” campaign, visit www.fireinyou.org - FASNY
April, 2014
PAge 21