Mangano Join Forces With State Firemen's Association And The Volunteer Service To Announce Third Annual RecruitNY Program

Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano joined forces with the State Firemen’s Association and the volunteer fire service to announce the third annual RecruitNY program at a press conference today at the Nassau County Firefighters Museum on Museum Row in Uniondale.

Over the last several years, it has been tough for many statewide fire departments to recruit and retain 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 saw with Superstorm Sandy, we all rely on the heroic men and women of our fire departments.

“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.”

“Last year, fire departments in more than 55 counties across the state participated in the second annual RecruitNY weekend, and we expect an outstanding amount of departments statewide to get involved this year,” said Bob McConville, First Vice President of the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY). “RecruitNY is an important initiative to help bolster membership numbers so that fire departments can continue to provide the optimum level of protection to their residents.”

As part of a statewide effort to increase volunteer firefighter numbers in New York State, Nassau and Suffolk Counties are encouraging all residents to check with their local fire departments to see if they are hosting open houses during RecruitNY weekend: Saturday, April 27 and Sunday, April 28.

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.

For fire departments that would like to sign up for RecruitNY, simply log on to http://recruitny.org/opendoors.php and fill out the participation form. The program provides fire departments with access to recruitment resources, communication tools, posters, banners, etc. via http://recruitny.org/resources.php to help a firehouse hold a recruitment open house.

For area residents looking for more information, or to find out if your fire department is participating in RecruitNY, visit www.recruitny.org or contact your local fire department via a non-emergency phone number or its website.