CHENANGO COUNTY – This weekend, April 26 and 27, is the sixth statewide RecruitNY. Sponsored by the Firemen's Association of the State of New York (FASNY), fire departments from all across the state and Chenango County will host open houses to bolster recruitment efforts and encourage more people to volunteer as firefighters and as EMS volunteers.

Two departments will hold pancake breakfasts and many are opening their doors to the public in order to educate and generate interest in the volunteer program.

“As you know volunteers are the life’s blood of these local agencies,” said Michael Beckwith, Deputy Fire Coordinator for the Chenango County Bureau of Fire. “Without volunteers these agencies would not exist and the communities they serve would lose the services they provide.”

He explained that with lower numbers of volunteers fire departments have had to rely on mutual aid. Lower numbers can also affect response time.

In regards to EMS, more communities may have to start paying for an ambulance service because there are not enough volunteers – a situation that Beckwith and fire chiefs across the county would like to curtail.

Chief of the McDonough Fire Department Donald Granger explained that while lack of time and availability is an inhibitor for some prospective volunteers, those who do participate become part of a powerful, life-saving group. “The best part is dealing with the people. They (the volunteers) become close friends,” said Granger.

He also explored other benefits and rewarding aspects of firefighting. “We see the public at the most difficult times. We try to alleviate that pain,” said Granger.

He added that the departments are looking to draw in more young people, which the McDonough Fire Department (like other departments) encourage to join through the Explorers program, as well as an apprentice program. This program allows teenagers ages 16 to 18 to do most firefighter duties except enter the interior.

Beckwith explained that there are other benefits to joining a fire department beyond assisting communities in need. Anyone who wants to become a firefighter can participate in both state and county training that is provided free of charge.

Fire departments also pay dues so volunteers can be a part of FASNY, which has a credit union that provides loans for its members. Volunteers who are members of FASNY can also receive tax breaks and receive assistance for college loans. The FASNY website states, “Under FASNY HELP, student-volunteers are eligible to have up to 100 percent of their tuition reimbursed in exchange for maintaining their grades and fulfilling defined service requirements.”

Beckwith concluded by stating, “You become part of a family. That family is nationwide.”

Currently the McDonough department has 25 volunteers and some will be present at the open house to speak to visitors. Firefighter gear will be on display and a volunteer will also don full gear if there is enough interest. Granger explained that the McDonough department's open house will include a pancake breakfast and it will be a free will offering.