North Merrick Fire Department opens its doors for RecruitNY

In an effort to welcome new recruits, the North Merrick Fire Department held an open house event at its location on Camp Avenue in Merrick on April 30. It was the fifth time the department participated in a larger event known as RecruitNY, a day of open houses and community engagement hosted by the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York.

Visitors were welcome to visit participating departments for a tour, an opportunity to try on gear and hear about the rewards of being a volunteer firefighter. Some of which include property tax breaks if you live in the district in which you volunteer, opportunities for college scholarships and enrollment in the Length of Service Awards Program for volunteers of over 40 years, According to Brian Ellensohn, the chief of the North Merrick Fire Department.

According to Brendan Narell, the North Bellmore Fire Department’s assistant chief, the number of volunteer firefighters has declined statewide in recent years. FASNY began its recruitment event six years ago in order to remain proactive and prevent this from becoming an issue.

Robert Leonard, FASNY’s public relations chairman, said that it is important for departments to not be discouraged if there are only a small number of visitors at their open houses. He added that it is just as important for a community to know that their department needs volunteers.

While the North Merrick Fire Department did not see many visitors at their open house, Ellensohn said that he has seen a recent spike in the number of recruits to register on their website. He added that the department’s junior firefighter program is higher than it’s been in previous years with 20 participants ages 14-18.