Local Fire Departments to Participate in RecruitNY Saturday and Sunday

Fire departments across Chenango County will hold RecruitNY this weekend to hopefully increase the number of volunteers for fire and EMS departments.

During the last decade or so, the number of volunteers has declined so much that some fire departments in the area are operating with just four or five volunteers.

On Saturday, open houses will be held at the North Norwich Fire Department 1-3 p.m.; Mt.Upton and McDonough from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. both with a chicken BBQ; Afton, Brisben and Greene fire departments will also hold an open house, times not given..

On Sunday, the Smithville Fire Department will hold a pancake breakfast from 7-11 a.m.; and the Norwich Fire Department open house will be from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. with demonstrations, auto extrication, fire station tours and much more.