More than two dozen fire departments in Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties are taking part this weekend in RecruitNY. The annual statewide recruitment drive seeks to attract new members to volunteer fire departments. P-J file photo

LAKEWOOD — There was a time village residents looking to join the Lakewood Fire Department were put on a waiting list to get in.

Like most volunteer departments now, those days are long gone.

“There used to be a waiting list, but not anymore,” said Lakewood Fire Chief Kurt Hallberg. “People just don’t really have the time anymore. … We have been fortunate that we have some good people that are still active after many, many years, and some people that are really good medics and good interior firefighters. It’s just our ages are all getting up there, so we need some young people that are going to stay in the area and are interested in doing it.”

Lakewood is one of 24 fire departments in Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties taking part this weekend in RecruitNY — a yearly statewide effort for fire departments to attract new members by opening its doors to the public. Some offer tours while others host demonstrations.

“We’re just going to give tours to anybody that’s interested in the station and in our trucks and the ambulance,” Hallberg said of Lakewood’s event, to be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the department’s Packard Avenue fire hall. “Everybody’s kind of hurting for volunteers, so we’re just trying to make it available in case somebody has an interest and maybe didn’t know how to go about it.”

Bylaws in Lakewood allow for up to 75 members; the department currently has 43.

Hallberg said departments respond to all kinds of emergencies, including vehicle crashes, fires and calls to provide emergency medical services.

“It’s something that can help their community and help their neighbors,” Hallberg said. “It’s something that is needed on a daily basis, really. You really feel like you’re contributing to maybe helping save somebody’s life or save their property or whatever kind of emergency they’re facing. It’s a gratifying thing in that way.”

The Bemus Point Fire Department is also looking to bolster its ranks. As part of RecruitNY weekend, Bemus Point will open its doors from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at its 13 Alburtus Ave. fire hall.

Throughout the open house, the fire department will conduct tours of the station and apparatus, allow visitors to try on gear, provide information and address questions on becoming a member.

“We welcome the community to join us during Recruit Weekend 2022,” said Jeff Molnar, first assistant fire chief. “This is an excellent opportunity to meet their local firefighters and to learn a bit more about the fire service in Chautauqua County. We are always looking for new members with all kinds of skill sets, not just interior firefighters. There are jobs available for everyone. It is our hope that after meeting us and seeing what we do, more people will be interested in joining our family.”

The following fire departments are taking part in RecruitNY:

¯ Kennedy Fire Department, 3590 Daily Hill Road, Kennedy, on Saturday;

¯ Sunset Bay Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, 12798 Alleghany Road, Irving, Saturday;

¯ Sheridan Fire Department, 2800 Main Road, Sheridan, Sunday;

¯ Chautauqua Fire Department, 2 Royal Way, Chautauqua, Saturday;

¯ Stanley Hose Company, 122 Park St., Sherman, Saturday;

¯ Ellington Fire Department, 769 W Main St., Ellington, Sunday;

¯ East Dunkirk Fire Department, 10949 S Roberts Road, Dunkirk, Saturday;

¯ Falconer Fire Department, 115 Davis St., Falconer, Sunday;

¯ Mayville Fire Department, 1 S. Erie St., Mayville, Saturday;

¯ Cassadaga Fire Department, 22 Mill St., Cassadaga, Saturday;

¯ Bemus Point Fire Department, 13 Alburtus Ave., Bemus Point, Saturday;

¯ Lakewood Fire Department, 37 Packard Blvd., Lakewood, Saturday;

¯ Westfield Fire Department, 20 Clinton St., Westfield, Saturday;

¯ Forestville Fire Department, 18 Chestnut St., Forestville, Sunday;

¯ Fluvanna Fire District, 3536 Fluvanna Ave. Ext., Jamestown, Saturday;

¯ Portland Fire Department, 6481 W. Main Road, Portland, Saturday and Sunday;

¯ Sinclairville Fire Department, 30 Main St., Sinclairville, Saturday and Sunday;

¯ Gerry Fire Department, 4490 Gerry-levant Road, Gerry, Sunday;

¯ Little Valley Fire Department, 101 Third St., Little Valley, Saturday;

¯ Kinney Hose Company, 1310 Olean Portville Road, Westons Mills, Sunday;

¯ Leon Fire Company No. 1, 12194 Leon New Albion Road, Conewango Valley, Saturday;

¯ Delevan Fire Company, 85 S Main St., Delevan, Saturday; and

¯ Ischua Fire Department, 5634 Route 16, Ischua, Saturday and Sunday; and

¯ Randolph Fire Department, 70 Main St., Randolph, Saturday.