In the Merrick Fire Department, learn what it takes to fight fires at Empire Games

Every year in early April, the Firefighters Association of the State of New York expands its efforts to recruit new volunteers to join local fire departments or emergency medical services.

And with the number of volunteers dwindling, Empire Hose Company No. 3, in the Merrick Fire Department, is taking a unique approach to attract new members. Next month, students in high schools that serve Merrick residents will have a chance to take part in the first-ever Empire Games with the department. They will learn the basic skills needed to become a firefighter, culminating in a competition in early June.

“We came up with this idea of the Empire Games to tap into the competitive nature of young people,” Empire Hose firefighter Jon Loew, who’s part of the recruitment team, said.

The competition will determine if high school students can complete tasks associated with fighting fires. Students will demonstrate if they can lift heavy objects in and out of buildings, go into small spaces, and operate heavy machinery, among other things.

“We can simulate a lot of it,” Loew said. “We can give them a taste of the training that we go through, and a taste of what it’s like to be part of the firehouse — to serve your community.”

More than 80 percent of the fire departments in the U.S. are made up entirely of or mostly volunteers, according to the National Fire Protection Association. The number of volunteers across the country has decreased, from nearly 900,000 in 1984, to the current levels of around 680,000, according to the association’s 2020 data.

The cost of living on Long Island, time commitment, training demands and changing demographics have contributed to the decline over the last few decades, fire department officials said. 

Those interested in joining the Merrick Fire Department could drop by Empire Hose No. 3, at 2300 Merrick Ave. in Merrick, on Thursday night, which is when training sessions are held, Loew said.

“You could see how we check all of the equipment, the tools, and then you could watch us train,” he said. “And if you feel like this is something that you want to do, then you could submit an application to join. Most people don’t really understand how you join a firehouse — they don’t (know) who to talk to, what to ask.”

The Empire Games is targeting high school students because of the fire department’s juniors programs, for individuals under 18, allowing younger people to become accustomed to the department. And if they’re already 18, they can join right away, if interested, Loew said.

“The idea is this will connect the community with our firehouse and give them an inside look at what’s going on,” he said. “We think if we can get people off their couches, off their phones, for just three Thursdays, they will get the bug for being a firefighter, just like I did — just like everyone else that is a volunteer.”

Empire Hose has been working with John F. Kennedy High School and Sanford H. Calhoun High School in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District, asking for help in identifying students who would be a good fit for the competition.

“Kennedy and Calhoun have each kindly agreed to support this experience,” Loew said. “They are reaching out through the coaches of their sports teams, to kids who might be interested in serving their community, or might be interested in just being in a competition.”

While coaches can nominate students, community members whose kids would like to participate can also email Loew, at JonLoew@EHC3.org.

“You don’t have to be super-athletic,” he said. “You just have to be able to do the basic skills that a firefighter does. We are open to anyone who can meet the minimum standards.”

The department is looking to form teams of 10 students from each high school, although if interest is high enough, more teams may be created. They’ll learn very basic skills, Loew explained, such as how to spray a hose on a target, or drag a rescue dummy that resembles the weight and size of a real person. Students will also earn 10 hours of community service for participating.

The hope is that for some of the participants, they’ll love the work and want to join the fire department.

“They’re either going to be like this is the coolest thing,” Loew said, “or they’re going to be like this isn’t really for me.”

The skills nights will take place on May 23 and 30, and students will also have to attend CPR training one day on a weekend, with the date yet to be announced.

The teams of students will then compete on June 13, putting the skills they learned to the test, at the Four Towns Fireman’s Training Center in Merrick. Friends and family are welcome to attend, and cheer them on, Loew said.

Loew said the department is made up of people of all ages — some who joined more recently, and others who’ve been part of the department for 50 years. People’s lives change, he said, or they move away, but serving the community — even for a short amount of time — is what being a volunteer is all about.

“This is not a blood oath — like you’re in for the rest of your life here,” Loew, who joined the department in 2020 said. “It’s a big commitment, but it’s extremely rewarding. For me, joining the fire service as an adult after I had kids was one of the best decisions of my life. I wish I’d done it sooner.”