Volunteer Fire Departments Need Your Help In Western New York

One of the things that makes this one of the best places to live is the fact that more of then not we are working together to make our community better. Buffalo earned the name City of Good Neighbors for a reason, and it's a badge we've worn proudly since the 1940s.

One of the many ways that we show our care for our neighborhoods is by volunteering to serve the community. One of the most important ways we do this, and often one of the most overlooked ways, is the hundreds of Western New Yorkers who volunteer to provide fire protection to our neighborhoods.

According to the Firefighters Association of the State of New York, there are more than 1,300 volunteer fire departments all across the Empire State, and all of those companies depend on regular everyday people offering their time to help keep our communities safe.

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In order for these fire companies to keep operating, they need your help, and they're asking you to step up to the plate to keep Western New York Safe.

WNY Volunteer Fire Companies Are Recruiting New Firefighters

This week in Western New York is a big one for several reasons. Not only are the Sabres back in the playoffs after a 15-year drought, but Volunteer Fire Companies all over the 716 are looking for new members to join the ranks.

Fire companies from the Wolcottsville Volunteer Fire Company in Akron to the Town Line Fire Department in Lancaster are looking for help, and the need is growing. According to the Firefighters Association of the State of New York, since 1998, the number of calls that Volunteer Fire Companies have answered has increased by 29%, all while the number of volunteers has dropped by 32%.

What that means for most of the people who live in Western New York is that the likelihood that a fire company can get to you in time during an emergency is decreasing.

Our hope is to inspire and encourage open house attendees to become part of a rewarding and honorable community service as a volunteer firefighter... I’ve seen every day the impact that our current volunteers have on their communities, as they selflessly serve. This impact can only continue to be felt if people sign up to join our ranks.
-Gene Perry, President - Firefighters Association of the State of New York

In Erie County, there are nearly 100 volunteer fire departments, with an additional 28 in Niagara County.

Becoming a volunteer firefighter is pretty easy and very fulfilling. You can be a Junior Firefighter as young as ages 16 and 17, and a full firefighter if you're 18 and older. The training to become a firefighter is available at no cost, and in addition to helping your neighbors stay safe, you can get some serious tax breaks, tuition assistance, and scholarships if you go to college, and more.

You can find a full list here on the RecruitNY website.

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