Fire houses across Long Island are opening their doors this weekend in hopes of getting more volunteers during a crucial time.

It’s all part of the 14th annual RecruitNY weekend, an initiative to help increase volunteer membership in local fire departments. 

Eugene Perry, the first vice president of the Firefighters Association of the State of New York (FASNY), says the need for firefighters in the state is up because call volume has increased while volunteer recruitment is down.

Perry says the state is seeing a diverse set of calls that have to be dealt with, including the ever-present threat of lithium-ion fires, along with medical emergencies, car accidents and more.

Perry says anyone who wants to become a volunteer firefighter should go to their local department and can find work.

“There’s a job for everybody in the volunteer fire service,” says Perry.

Officials say anyone 16 years old and up can be a full-fledged firefighter, and those 12 and up can also help in other ways as juniors. 

What some fire officials want people to know is that you don’t need to be going into burning buildings or vehicles to join. They’re looking for people who can do exterior fire work, or even ride on the truck and help hook up to fire hydrants too.

According to FASNY, there are an estimated 20,000 fewer volunteer firefighters than there were 20 years ago in New York, and retaining those they do have has been difficult.

FASNY says it’s also trying to push legislation that would increase benefits for volunteer firefighters, like a stipend for training courses and an increase in income tax credit provisions. 

There are nearly 20 events happening across Long Island. Those looking for more info can click HERE.