Nassau County, NY - April 21, 2016 - Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano joined forces with the State Firemen’s Association and the volunteer fire service to announce the 6th Annual RecruitNY program at a press conference today at the Nassau County Firefighters Museum on Museum Row in Uniondale.
“Volunteer firefighters protect our homes and communities 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Nassau County’s Bravest are our friends and neighbors, and they help our communities whenever and wherever support is needed,” said County Executive Mangano. “I encourage anyone who is interested in becoming a volunteer firefighter to visit their local firehouse during the Recruit NY weekend and sign up. To assist with recruitment and retention, Nassau County offers volunteer firefighters free community college tuition and a property tax exemption.”
Over the past several years, statewide fire departments have experienced difficulties in recruiting and retaining volunteers for a variety of reasons. Volunteer fire departments need to bolster their emergency responder numbers, so they can continue to provide the optimum level of protection for their residents. As we witnessed with Superstorm Sandy, residents rely on the heroic men and women of the volunteer fire service.
“This year, more than 540 departments in 60 counties across the state are participating in RecruitNY and we look forward to welcoming New Yorkers to all our fire department Open Houses,” said Robert McConville, President of the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York. “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.”
As part of a statewide effort to increase volunteer firefighter numbers in New York State, Nassau is encouraging residents to visit the following fire department open houses during RecruitNY weekend on Saturday, April 23rd and Sunday, April 24th: Bellerose Fire Department, Bellmore Fire Department, Bethpage Fire Department, East Meadow Fire Department, East Rockaway Fire Department, Floral Park, Freeport Fire Department, Glenwood Fire Company, Locust Valley Fire Department, Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department, North Bellmore Fire Department, North Merrick Fire Department, Oceanside Fire Department, Rockville Centre Fire Department, South Farmingdale Fire Department, and Syosset Fire Department.
During RecruitNY weekend, fire departments will conduct tours of their firehouse and fire apparatus, allow visitors to try on turnout gear, and provide visitor activities and stations throughout the firehouse. Members will discuss the requirements to be a volunteer, as well as conduct demonstrations, answer questions, and let visitors know how to join their fire department.