HUDSON VALLEY – The Firefighters Association of the State of New York (FASNY) is helping fire departments recruit new volunteers during the annual RecruitNY drive taking place this weekend. Many volunteer fire departments throughout the Hudson Valley are holding events throughout the weekend of April 23 and 24. Others are participating in just one day of events.
The Chelsea Fire Department which covers an 8-square-mile district in Dutchess County is holding its open house on Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The community is invited to tour the firehouse, the apparatus, talk to members, and even get a free haircut from the “Time is Money” barbershop.
“More hands make light work,” Chelsea Fire Chief Ryan McCluskey told Mid-Hudson News. The department covers portions of the towns of Fishkill and Wappinger and part of the Hudson River, I-84, multiple apartment complexes, and Dutchess Stadium currently has 22 active members. The average response to calls for assistance is five members. “We need our neighbors to join and help us protect the community,” McCluskey said.
The Chelsea Fire Department sets up at Dutchess Stadium for every game that has fireworks at the end of the game. “We set up at the stadium to keep people safe during the fireworks,” said firefighter Jim Tompkins. “Our volunteers are always here to help.”
Many volunteer fire departments have retirement plans and, in Dutchess County, there is a proposed law being put forth to give homeowners a property tax credit if they are members of a volunteer department.
The Chelsea open house is being held at Station 2, located at 16 Brockway Road in Fishkill, behind Stadium Plaza.
A list of participating New York fire departments for RecruitNY can be found here.
