SC New York News

Albany, N.Y., April 11—State Senator Tom O’Mara has urged area residents to take part in the upcoming “RecruitNY” campaign organized by the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY) this weekend. The annual initiative aims to promote the recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters and EMTs.

O’Mara emphasized the importance of recruiting and retaining volunteer emergency services personnel, especially in rural communities, stating, "Keeping our corps of emergency services volunteers strong must be a statewide priority." He highlighted the significant role volunteer fire departments play in ensuring public safety, community service, and civic pride.

According to FASNY, there has been a notable decline in the number of volunteer firefighters and EMTs across the state in recent years. To address this issue, FASNY is advocating for an increase in the state’s income tax credit for volunteers from $200 to $800. O’Mara, along with local state Assemblymen, has been supporting legislation aimed at providing incentives to tackle the recruitment and retention challenge in the emergency services sector.

A study conducted by FASNY revealed that volunteer firefighters in New York save taxpayers nearly $4 billion annually. The report also highlighted the substantial financial implications of transitioning to an all-paid fire service, indicating a potential 28.4% increase in property taxes statewide.

FASNY emphasized the crucial role of volunteer fire departments in New York State, particularly in smaller and rural communities with limited tax bases. The reliance on volunteer firefighters in these areas underscores the cost-saving benefits they provide, with a transition to paid departments posing significant challenges for localities.

The RecruitNY campaign scheduled for this weekend will see volunteer fire departments across various regions hosting Open Houses to engage with the public and encourage participation in volunteer firefighting. Interested individuals can find a list of participating fire departments on FASNY’s website.

As the need for volunteer emergency services personnel continues to grow, initiatives like RecruitNY play a vital role in raising awareness and addressing the recruitment and retention challenges faced by communities across the state.