The Lakeview Fire Department will open its doors to the community on Sunday, Aug. 9, as it celebrates the 117th anniversary of its founding with a meet-and-greet aimed at strengthening neighborhood connections and recruiting new volunteers.
The event commemorates the department’s founding on Aug. 9, 1909. The department traditionally holds its anniversary celebration on the Sunday closest to its founding date. This year, the anniversary falls on a Sunday, providing an ideal opportunity to welcome residents into the firehouse.
“What we’re trying to do is not only open our doors to show the community the items that we do have,” Assistant Chief Heather McNeill said. “But to invite them in, not only to say hello to us, but to introduce ourselves as their neighbors that have been there for 118 years.”
Visitors will be able to tour the station, explore fire trucks and emergency apparatus, examine firefighting equipment and learn about the protective gear firefighters wear while responding to emergencies. Department members will also answer questions about the services they provide and the volunteer department’s role in protecting the community.
The anniversary celebration is also intended to introduce residents to the firefighters who serve their community while highlighting the department’s ongoing need for volunteers. Like many volunteer fire departments across Long Island, Lakeview has experienced declining membership as more residents balance multiple jobs and other commitments, making it increasingly difficult to recruit and retain volunteers.
“Unfortunately, the day and age of the volunteer is almost in crisis mode,” she said. “We have a lot of folks that are working two and three jobs in order just to afford to live around here, and we’re trying to tap into the younger demographic in which to come out, help the community.”
McNeill said the department hopes to attract younger residents interested in careers in public safety, as well as retirees looking for meaningful ways to stay active in the community. Volunteers may qualify for educational assistance, tax incentives and emergency response training. New York State recently increased the volunteer firefighter tax credit from $200 to $800, providing another incentive for residents considering joining.
Beyond recruiting new members, the event is intended to educate residents about the wide range of emergencies firefighters respond to each day. While many people associate the department primarily with structure fires, volunteers also respond to motor vehicle crashes, vehicle fires, medical emergencies, rescue calls and household emergencies involving electrical systems or cooking accidents. Members undergo extensive training to prepare for a variety of emergency situations, including incidents requiring specialized rescue equipment.
The department has hosted similar open houses during the past three years and regularly participates in local festivals, civic events and holiday celebrations throughout Lakeview and West Hempstead. Those outreach efforts help strengthen relationships with residents while encouraging community involvement.
“We hope that they will invest in their community,” McNeill said. “Anyone is eligible to join.”
Residents interested in volunteer opportunities are encouraged to attend the anniversary celebration or visit the firehouse on Sundays at 10 a.m. or Wednesdays at 7 p.m. to speak with department members about the application process and the responsibilities of serving as a volunteer firefighter or emergency medical responder.
