As part of the annual RecruitNY state initiative, the Randolph Fire Company will host an open house on Saturday, April 22 from 1-4 p.m. Shown is Randolph’s Engine No. 1 assisting in the demolition of a building in downtown Randolph. Submitted photo

RANDOLPH — The Randolph Fire Company will host an open house Saturday to raise public awareness about the urgent need for volunteers. The event will take place from 1-4 p.m. at the fire hall, located at 70 Main St.

During that time, members of the Randolph Fire Company and Randolph Regional Emergency Medical Services (EMS) will conduct tours, demonstrate firefighter and medical emergency apparatus, allow visitors to try on firefighter gear and provide informational opportunities throughout the firehouse and adjoining grounds. People of all ages are invited to attend and free refreshments will be served.

According to Howard Honey, lieutenant of the fire police for Randolph Fire Company, there will be demonstrations in the new tower truck, Randolph No. 6, featuring a 93-foot platform. He said the tower has two hose nozzles on top that shoot 1,500 gallons per minute.

Fire personnel will give tours of their heavy rescue truck, Randolph No. 7, and a demonstration of a car accident extrication using the “jaws of life.” Mercy Flight medical evacuation helicopter, headquartered in Buffalo with bases in Batavia, Springville, and Olean, is expected to fly-in. Personnel from Starflight, based in Jamestown, will have an information table set up with literature and giveaways.

“The biggest thing for the kids is trying on the turnout gear. Anybody who wants to try the gear on will be able to,” Honey said. “Our interior attack crew plans to be in their full gear with their masks and tanks, and they will explain how it works and what they do.”

At the event, local residents will have the opportunity to learn about the importance and advantages of becoming a firefighter and the many positions available at their local fire department. It will highlight the responsibilities of emergency incident management and support, as well as the opportunities of state and national recognition that come with being a volunteer firefighter. In addition to firefighters, the fire department is also looking for volunteers to serve as fire police, EMTs and auxiliary members.

Dave Senn, third assistant chief for Randolph Fire Company, said this event will help people understand that their skills can benefit the volunteer fire service in a number of ways. He said there is a misconception that to be a fireman a person has to spray a hose or run a truck. However, there are many roles in the fire department people can choose from including office positions, maintenance of grounds and buildings, radio communications and internet, software and technology, and equipment inspections.

Honey said the Randolph Fire Company must increase its numbers of firefighters and emergency responders to continue providing the highest level of protection and emergency services for its residents.

“Nobody in the system saw the shortage of manpower coming that is evident today. It kind of slipped in and kept getting worse and worse,” he said. “The basic idea of giving back to the community kind of got shuffled around and lost a little bit, except for a few of us guys because that’s what we grew up with.”

According to Honey, there are certain things about being in the fire service that people cannot get anywhere else, which could inspire young people to volunteer, one is education. He said the free education a person can get as a volunteer firemen is phenomenal, and a vast number of courses are free at five or six different schools, two universities, the national fire academy and the state fire academy.

“This is a great opportunity for our family and friends to observe the exciting and widely varied tasks of a firefighter/emergency responder,” he said. “Our current members love what they do; they are everyday heroes who help their neighbors in need. They serve their families, the greater Randolph community and our country with dignity and pride. We hope our recruitment day will inspire other area residents to join our fire service family and take advantage of the wide range of personal rewards and educational opportunities that only membership in the U.S. Fire Service can offer.”

For information on becoming a volunteer firefighter/emergency responder at Randolph Fire Company or at another fire department in the local area, call Honey at 640-4683 or email him at dochowardhoney@gmail.com. Information about the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY) and its sister organizations, may be found online at fasny.com or recruitny.org.

The seventh annual RecruitNY state initiative will officially be held at most other fire departments, April 29-30.