Fire Department Open Houses this Weekend

More than 550 of New York's 1,583 volunteer fire companies are hosting open houses this weekend in the hope of attracting more members.

"Volunteerism is on the decline overall as people lead very busy lives with multiple family members working," explained Greg Santone, Fire Chief of the Millwood Fire Department. "Although the community at large is very supportive of the fire company ... active firefighting members are the core of the services we provide and new members to take the place of those who have volunteered for decades are sorely needed. We are asking everyone to give it serious thought."

Santone's fire company will be part of an Open House in New Castle Sunday--and that's part of a statewide recruitment drive called RecruitNY.

Check with your fire department to find out if they're involved, and if their open house is Saturday or Sunday --or both.

Among the participants:

DUTCHESS

Arlington Fire Department

Amenia Fire Company

Beekman Fire Department

Chelsea Fire Company

City of Beacon

Dinsmore Hose Company

Glenham fire department

J. H. Ketcham Hose Co.

New Hackensack Fire Company

Pleasant Valley Fire Department

Stormville Fire Co.112 Old Route 52

Union Vale Fire Dept.P.O. BX. 21

Wassaic Fire Company

ORANGE

Central Valley Fire Company

Coldenham Fire Company, Inc.

Cronomer Valley Fire Dept

Dan Leghorn Engine Company (Orange Lake)

Good Will Fire Department

Goshen Fire Department

Greenville Fire Department

Highland Falls F.D.

Mountain Lodge Park Fire Company

Salisbury Mills Fire Company

Silver Lake Fire District

Sterling Forest Volunteer FireCo.

Sugar Loaf Engine Compan

Tuxedo Park Fire Departmen

Warwick Fire Department

PUTNAM

Brewster Fire Department

Carmel Fire Departmen

Cold Spring Fire Company No.1

Kent Volunteer Fire Department

Putnam Lake Fire Department

ROCKLAND

Congers Fire Department

Nanuet Fire Department

New City Fire Engine Company No. 1

S W Johnson Steam Fire Engine Co. 1

Valley Cottage Fire District

WAYNE HOSE CO #1, INC.

West Nyack Fire Department

WESTCHESTER

Armonk Fire Department

Bedford Fire Department

Bedford Hills Fire Department

BriarCliff Manor FD

Elmsford Fire Department

Harrison Fire Department

Hawthorne Fire Comapny No. 1

Katonah Fire Department

Millwood Fire Company

Mohegan Volunteer Fire Association

Pleasantville Fire Department

Port Chester Fire Department

Purchase Fire Department

Reliance Engine & Hose Co., No. 1

Rye Fire Department

Thornwood Fire Department

Town of Mamaroneck Fire Dept

Vista Fire Department

West Harrison Fire Department

Yorktown Heights Engine Company