Community Corner
Volunteer Firehouse Seeks Recruits During Open House
The Sunday event includes a tour of the Rockville Centre station and learning about the equipment.
ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NY — A fire company in Rockville Centre is opening its doors for new recruits.
Defender Hose Company No. 1 is letting residents learn what it takes to be a volunteer firefighter.
Mark Bedson, Captain of the Rockville Centre Fire Department, said the Defenders' membership is diverse with "members who are 18, 19 years old and members who have been in our company for 40 and 50 years."
Find out what's happening in Rockville Centrefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The RecruitNY Weekend is April 24 at Defender Hose Company from noon to 3 p.m.
Throughout the day, members will conduct tours of the station and apparatus. Visitors will get to try on gear, demonstrate firefighting activities and address questions about becoming a member.
Find out what's happening in Rockville Centrefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The recruitment is being held as volunteer firehouses across the state struggle with decreased membership and increased call volume.
"I've learned so much from so many people, " James Avondet, Chief, Rockville Centre Fire Department said. "I've grown in ways as a person and a man that I don't know where else I would do a better job at learning those things."
The firehouse is located at 39 South Centre Avenue.
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