The Firefighters Association of the State of New York is working to encourage more people to become volunteer firefighters.

FASNY will host its 16th annual recruitment campaign on April 26 and 27.

Hundreds of volunteer fire departments will invite the public to show them what it’s like to be a volunteer firefighter.

The FASNY board members held an event urging departments to save the date.

Because of the shortage of firefighters across the state, New York is among the top states in the country in fire-related deaths, they said.

“Our ability to not be in this situation in large part depends on the number of trained, dedicated men and women that become members of their local volunteer fire departments,” said John D’Alessandro, secretary with FASNY.

FASNY released a survey last year to learn about state residents’ perceptions of volunteer firefighters.
According to that survey, 49% of New Yorkers showed interest in becoming a volunteer firefighter, while 66% said they would visit their local fire station to learn more information about becoming a volunteer.