“If you want to do something,” Jeff Armitage says, “there’s always something to do.” Mr. Armitage is the chief of the Storm King Engine Company, which is holding an open house from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 25.
The event is intended to be fun. The hosts will serve refreshments and offer demonstrations. A firefighter will rappel down to the ground from the top of a fire truck ladder; others will show the efficiency of the jaws of life and the latest fire extinguishers.
The company members are anxious to show what they do, and they’re hoping that some of their visitors may be tempted to join them.
That shouldn’t discourage people from attending the event. They won’t get a sales pitch, but they may be surprised at the many different ways they can help.
“There’s always a job for somebody,” Company President Nancy Bryan says. “There are multiple positions available.”
Many, but not all, of the members have completed a 109-hour course and are certified to enter a burning building. Some of them started the training with reservations. Chief Armitage recalls a recruit who opted out of the ladder climb at the start of the course. The individual took part in the rest of the program, and developed enough confidence to be comfortable going up a six-story ladder by the time the course was over.
There’s a shorter course for exterior firefighters, and there’s a need for drivers, scene support personnel, and people to do clerical work.
Volunteers (male or female) can join the unit at age 16. Several members have started in high school, and have been active for as long as they were in the community. Some have helped in their college towns and others have pursued firefighting as a career.
What concerns Mrs. Bryan, Chief Armitage and former chief Mike Trainor is the future. Many of the younger members relocate after they finish their education. Many of the older members have been on the job for more than 30 years. When they stop going to fires will there be other people to take their place?
A company handout poses a rhetorical question, “What if you called and no one came!” It also cites some of the benefits of joining the outfit. One of them is camaraderie. There are also financial incentives — college tuition assistance, a retirement annuity and a property tax credit.
That may entice some people to join. And if it doesn’t, they’re still welcome to come to the open house to enjoy the hamburgers and hot dogs.
