As part of the annual RecruitNY statewide initiative, the Walton Fire Department and Emergency Squad will open its doors so residents can learn how they can serve their volunteer fire department.
Volunteer fire departments across New York state have been faced with decreased membership and increased call volume. Like most volunteer fire departments, the Walton Fire Department and Emergency Squad needs to bolster its ranks so it can continue to provide the optimum level of protection for its residents.
As part of RecruitNY Weekend, the Walton Fire Department and Emergency Squad will open its doors on Saturday, April 22 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The department is located at 59-61 West Street, Walton. Walton will join hundreds of volunteer fire departments across New York to raise public awareness regarding the need for volunteers and to highlight the rewards of being a member of a volunteer fire department.
Throughout the day, the members will conduct tours of the station and apparatus, allow visitors to try on gear, demonstrate firefighting activities via games and tasks, provide information, and address questions on becoming a member. These activities give visitors a taste of what it means to be in the fire service. Volunteer firefighters will also be on hand to discuss the requirements and rewards of joining. All are welcome and encouraged to attend, including families with children.
Firefighters will also be doing a demonstration of a patient extrication from a motor vehicle accident at 1 p.m.
The Firefighters Association of the State of New York (FASNY) is committed to assisting New York’s 1,700-plus volunteer departments connect with their communities and have sufficient members to protect them properly. Established in 2011, RecruitNY is an undertaking of FASNY.
For more information, visit Walton Fire Department’s Facebook page or call 607-865-5014.
