FASNY begins 17th annual RecruitNY campaign

Statewide recruitment drive aims to grow New York’s volunteer firefighting ranks on April 18-19

Submitted by the Firefighters Association of the State of New York

On April 18-19, the Firefighters Association of the State of New York (FASNY) will launch its 17th annual RecruitNY campaign, a statewide initiative designed to connect New Yorkers with their local volunteer fire departments and inspire them to serve their communities.

Launched by FASNY in 2011, RecruitNY weekend involves hundreds of volunteer fire departments across New York opening their doors to the public, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the rewards and satisfaction of being a volunteer firefighter in their community. Visitors can tour stations, meet current volunteers, attend information sessions, and observe live demonstrations of firefighting techniques, while also getting hands-on experience with equipment and turnout gear. RecruitNY aims to strengthen recruitment and grow volunteer membership through educating local residents and giving attendees the chance to engage directly with firefighters, hear how the experience has enriched their lives, and learn about the vital role volunteers play in protecting their communities.

“RecruitNY is about showing people that they can make a real, tangible difference right in their own communities,” FASNY President Gene Perry said. “Volunteer firefighters are everyday individuals who step up in exceptional ways. This weekend gives people the chance to see themselves in that role and to truly understand just how vital these departments are to public safety.”

New York’s volunteer firefighters play a critical role in protecting communities across the state, saving taxpayers billions of dollars through their service. While overall membership numbers have shifted over the past two decades, the volunteer fire service itself has evolved, becoming more highly trained, better equipped and more efficient in how it responds to emergencies. Today’s departments are built for speed, coordination and effectiveness. At the same time, like any public safety system, they face ongoing challenges. Increasing call volumes, changing work patterns and the time commitment required for training continue to impact recruitment and retention. To help address this, policies such as allowing local municipalities to grant up to a 10% property tax exemption for volunteer firefighters are helping ease the burden and strengthen participation, making efforts like RecruitNY more important than ever.

A survey facilitated by FASNY in 2024 found that 49% of New Yorkers expressed interest in becoming a volunteer firefighter. Two-thirds of respondents (66%) said they would visit their local fire station to gain more information on becoming a volunteer, while 55% would turn to a Google search, and 98% agreed that volunteer firefighters and emergency medical services were important for the health and safety of their community. 

Interested individuals can visit https://www.recruitny.org/participants/ to see if their local fire department will be participating in RecruitNY. Visitors of all ages and backgrounds are welcomed and encouraged to attend. Fire departments that are interested in participating in RecruitNY can register here: https://fireinyou.org/recruitny/.

More about FASNY: Founded in 1872, the Firefighters Association of the State of New York represents the interests of the 80,000 volunteer firefighters in New York.  For more information, visit www.fasny.com.