Wilton Volunteer Fire Department participating in recruitment initiative
WILTON,N.Y. » The Wilton Volunteer Fire Department is participating in a statewide recruitment initiative to help increase the number of volunteer firefighters.
As part of the annual RecruitNY effort, volunteer fire departments across New York state will invite the public to their respective firehouses for a unified recruitment drive.
Wilton Volunteer Fire Department will open its station to potential area recruits and their families so they can learn about what it takes to be a volunteer firefighter in their community and what opportunities partner agencies may have to help serve others.
The open house will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 24 at the department’s 270 Ballard Rd. station. Partner agencies also planning to attend are Wilton EMS, Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, New York State Police, FBI-Albany, and LifeNet, which is arranging for a special helicopter landing at the start of the event. Attendees can view the landing from their cars via the Ballard Elementary parking lot.
For those who are unable to attend, or due to public health concerns would like to choose virtual option, appointments with the Wilton Volunteer Fire Department can be scheduled from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday, April 25 by emailing recruitment chair Andrew Bobbitt at abobbitt@wiltonfiredept.org.
Along with highlighting the rewards and responsibilities that come with being a firefighter, paramedic or law enforcement officer, the event is designed to raise public awareness about the need for recruits.
The past several years have been challenging for volunteer fire departments across New
York state, as many are struggling with decreased membership and increased call volumes.
Like most volunteer fire departments, the Wilton Volunteer Fire Department needs to bolster its ranks so it can continue to provide the optimum and necessary level of protection for its 15,000 residents.
In 2020, the department respond to more than 330 calls for such events as fires, motor vehicle accidents, fire alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, natural gas/propane leaks, downed power lines and EMS assists. The not-for-profit designated 501(c)(3) department, including its officers and chief, is made up entirely of volunteers, while the Wilton Fire District has paid staff who support the administrative responsibilities the district has as a legal municipal government entity, governed by a volunteer Board of Fire Commissioners, responsible for among other things providing fire protection for the residents and property located within the boundaries of the fire district.
Last year, more than 600 fire departments across the state held recruitment open houses as part of the RecruitNY initiative.
“This open house is a great opportunity for those interested in actively serving their community in an impactful way to meet their local volunteer firefighters and learn moreabout their local fire service and what is entailed in becoming a member,” Wilton Volunteer Fire Department Chief Todd Murray said in a press release. “Our firefighters come from diverse backgrounds and ages with one shared common concern of helping people in their times of need, 24 hours a day – 7 days a week – 365 days a year. It is our hope after hearing how we teach, train, and serve together more community members will become a part of our organization.”
Area residents looking for more information can visit fireinyou.org or the Wilton Volunteer Fire Department at www. wiltonfiredept.org. A recruitment video can also be viewed online at https://youtu.be/EC0xbn0ZwHg.