New York budget has $250G to recruit volunteer firefighters
ALBANY — The state budget adopted last week includes $250,000 to step up recruitment of volunteer firefighters statewide, said Sen. Kathy Marchione (R-Halfmoon).
The sponsor of the bill announced the funding Wednesday while promoting a recruitment weekend April 23-24 at volunteer fire houses across the state.
The funding will provide promotional material including posters, banners, lawn signs and radio public service announcements to attract men and women into the ranks of volunteer firefighters.
The Firemen’s Association of the State of New York said there are nearly 105,000 volunteer firefighters today. That’s down from the early 1990s when 120,000 volunteers staffed the fire companies. A similar promotion five years ago attracted 20,000 more men and women, according to FASNY, a nonprofit organization that supporters firefighters.
Michael Gormley has worked for Newsday since 2013, covering state government, politics and issues. He has covered Albany since 2001.
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