The Five Towns Fire Department is looking for dedicated residents willing to volunteer their time as firefighters and emergency medical technicians. In recent years, departments across the state have faced challenges recruiting and retaining volunteers for numerous reasons. The Firemen's Association of New York State (FASNY) coordinated its annual "RecruitNY" campaign on April 26 and 27, as volunteer fire departments across the state opened their doors to recruit new members. “Recruit NY has proven to be a success over the past few years and is a key initiative to help bolster membership so that fire departments can continue to provide the optimal level of protection to their local residents,” he said FASNY President James Burns. According to FASNY, more than 600 departments participated in last year's campaign, now in its fourth year. According to Chief Lenny Cherson, the Woodmere Fire Department is always looking for dedicated volunteers. “Everyone is welcome to join and serve the community,” he said. The department uses various methods to recruit new members throughout the year, including biannual postings of funds, advertising and signs on telephone poles outside local schools, houses of worship and the business district. The department participated in the "RecruitNY" campaign on April 27, but Cherson noted that the event is aimed "primarily at smaller departments in the northern part of the state, north of Orange County," which cover a larger area in terms of territory. The department provides fire, rescue and emergency medical services to residents of the unincorporated communities of Woodmere and Cedar Bay Park, as well as the incorporated villages of Woodsburgh, Hewlett Neck and parts of Hewlett Harbor. It also provides mutual aid...at the heart of the paper...efighter and I think it's a necessity for our community," said Jason Hagler, a Woodmere firefighter for more than six years. Hagler also owns Rapid Motion Technology based in Woodmere, a low voltage contractor and security system installation company, and balances his business with volunteering “It's a tremendous struggle, but it's an important cause for the community and I make it work.” , Hagler said. “There is a huge need in our community for volunteer firefighters and EMTs,” he added, encouraging potential members to join. Woodmere resident Ariel Pfeifer, 17, plans to join the fire department from Woodmere this summer as a firefighter. The Woodmere resident has been a junior firefighter with the department for a year, which exposed him to volunteer firefighting. “I've always wanted to be a firefighter because I want to help to serve my community,” he said.