Local Fire Departments To Take Part In RecruitNY Initiative
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This weekend, fire departments across the state will open its doors for RecruitNY in an effort to attract new volunteers to their ranks. Through the years, volunteer fire organizations have added thousands of members thanks in part to the initiative.
The Falconer Fire Department will kick off its RecruitNY festivities on Saturday with a FireHouse Flapjacks fundraiser breakfast from 8-10:30 a.m. at the fire department, 115 Davis St. The cost of the breakfast is $10 for adults, $8 for children 3-12, and free for children under 3. Tickets can be purchased from any fire department member or at the door.
The RecruitNY open house is designed to showcase the department and all it can offer those who want to volunteer. Those in attendance will be able to meet the crew, see technical rescue demonstrations and also view the upgrades that have been made to the fire hall.
Falconer answered 987 calls last year, which is only second in Chautauqua County to the Lakewood Fire Department. Falconer is always looking for new members to add to its ranks.
"It is a family. We all work together," said Bryce Webster, Falconer fire chief, who has been a member of the department for over three decades. "I do it to give back to my community."
Katie Delahoy, another member of the department, serves as the fire prevention officer and the junior member advisor. She is proud of the role she plays in the department.
"We are a family. We are proud of our junior members," she said. "We work with their school and sports schedules and they have to maintain a 'C' average in school to stay in the program. We have never had a problem. They have the flexibility of playing sports and returning to the program and having the discipline of juggling everything and being successful.
Falconer's open house will take place after the pancake breakfast from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Attendees will be able to view the different demonstrations and get information on joining the fire department. The Ellicott Police Department will also be on hand to provide car seat safety checks.
For more information, visit the Falconer Fire Department Facebook page.