LI Volunteer Fire Departments Face 'Hard Time' Finding Recruits

SEAFORD, NY — Volunteer fire departments are in need of new recruits throughout the state. April is a big month to sound the alarm.

“It's an ongoing issue,” Paul Lochner, district manager at the Seaford Fire District, told Patch. “The volunteer fire service, especially on Long Island, is having a really hard time recruiting and maintaining members.”

The main reason is would-be volunteers have too much on their plate.

Many people have full-time jobs, if not multiple jobs, so their time is limited.

Lochner said harder than joining is “sticking around,” because “a lot of people don't realize the amount of time you have to give.”

Typically, word-of-mouth brings in recruits, whether through family or a friend. A volunteer firefighter may have moved to that community, allowing them to continue their career.

Despite the ways Seaford, and other volunteer departments, get new members, “it's not enough to meet the need,” Lochner said.

While Seaford is always seeking people to join, it stopped short of calling the need an emergency.

Lochner said it's a “feast or famine,” either too many firefighters for a few calls, or too many calls and not enough personnel.

Lochner, who has 35 years vested in the Seaford Fire Department and is an ex-chief, works with his oldest son, a member since he was 18, who recently became engine captain.

For those with no past firefighting or EMT experience, training and a uniform are provided.

“It is a family,” Lochner said. “You really become tight with the people who you volunteer with.”

On April 22-23 hundreds of departments across New York will open their doors to new recruits.

Among them:

Nassau

• Port Washington Fire Department
• South Hempstead FD
• Defender Hose Co. No. 1, Rockville Centre F.D. North Bellmore
• North Bellmore Fire Department
• Williston Park Fire Department
• Bellmore Fire Department
• North Merrick Fire Department
• East Meadow Fire Department
• Wantagh Fire Department

Suffolk

• St. James Fire Department
• Setauket Fire Department
• Sound Beach Fire Department