EMFD to Hold Volunteer Recruitment Open Houses on Sunday, April 24

The East Meadow Fire Department will open its doors at firehouses throughout the community to host a Recruitment Open House on Sunday, April 24, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., The event is coordinated with RecruitNY, a joint effort of the Firefighters Association of the State of New York and the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control, whose goal is to address the declining number of volunteers joining local fire departments across the state, including in East Meadow.

“The past few years have presented challenges for volunteer fire departments across Long Island, as many have face decreased enrollment and increased call volume,” said Commissioner Carey Welt. “Like most volunteer fire departments, the East Meadow Fire Department needs to increase its ranks of dedicated men and women, so we can continue to provide the best level of fire protection and emergency medical services to our residents.”

Volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians from the East Meadow Fire Department will conduct tours of the fire stations, where fire, rescue and emergency medical equipment will be on display. In addition, personnel will be on hand to discuss the requirements for becoming a volunteer, and to explain the numerous benefits associated with volunteering.

Commissioner Welt noted, “The training and experience gained from volunteering can lead to a professional career in the emergency services field.” He added that agencies employing EMFD volunteers include the Nassau County and Suffolk County police departments, the New York City police and fire departments, the Nassau County Fire Marshal’s Office, various state emergency service agencies, and area hospitals.

Other benefits of volunteering are property-tax exemptions and state-income-tax benefits. In addition, the Nassau County Office of Emergency Management provides a scholarship for full- and part-time students attending Nassau Community College. Under the scholarship program, volunteer EMS and firefighters can qualify for assistance, as long as they maintain active membership in good standing in one of Nassau County’s fire departments. Maintaining certain academic standards is also required.

We encourage you to attend any of our Recruitment Open Houses, to learn how you can be part of the select group of community-minded people who provide an essential service to our community. And feel free to bring a friend! For more information, please call 516-542-4565, or visit www.eastmeadowfd.com and click on the “Join the EMFD” link.

Interested men and women can attend the open houses on Sunday, April 24, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at any of the following EMFD locations:

• Fire Headquarters, 197 East Meadow Avenue, at Front Street, East Meadow
• Station #1, 346 East Meadow Avenue, near Franklin Avenue, East Meadow
• Station #2, 590 East Meadow Avenue & Park Avenue, East Meadow
• Station # 3, 350 North Newbridge Road & Salisbury Park Drive, Levittown
• Station #4, 3 Bob Reed Lane & Carman Avenue, Westbury