Community Responds to Fire Department Recruiting

A runner hits his head at Stillwell Woods Preserve and needs stitches. A home fire alarm goes off and needs to be checked out.

The Syosset Fire Department deals with these calls every day. But when they happened Sunday morning during the SFD's Recruiting Open House, they provided perfect examples of how ordinary people can help their community. 

And Syosset's residents are responding, according to Dep. Chief Peter Silver, who directs the department's recruiting efforts. Silver said the department started the year with 134 members, and usually adds about eight members a year. But the department is on pace to respond to more than 2,000 calls in 2010, around 200 more than they did last year.

"It's clear as we get busier, we need more people to meet that need," Silver said.

The department is getting the extra manpower. Silver said he set a goal of between 16-20 new recruits this year. After Sunday's tally of at least six, the department is approaching that goal with more than half the year to go. One interested prospect even went on a call to get an idea of what the duties are like.

Another resident who showed up Sunday was 45-year-old Andrew Nerone. He lives close to the department and sees the recruiting posters every day when he walks to the train for his job in NYC. He's still considering joining but knows firsthand what the Syosset Fire Department provides to the community.

"My daughter got ill and needed emergency services one night, and these guys were right there," Nerone said. "Everything turned out fine with her. If I have the time, I really want to see if I can help out."

For more information on joining the Syosset Fire Department, contact Dep. Chief Silver at 516-677-4502 or click here.  

Check out a Syosset Fire Department recruiting video here.