Providing pride,
Signs to help recruit firefighters

GUILDERLAND — The three Westmere firemen were about to pose for a photograph, holding a sign they are most proud of, which is designed to recruit new members and recognize current volunteers.

But, as they made their way to stand before a fire truck, an alarm sounded. They remained calm, but their laughter faded to sobriety. Like second nature, their legs went from walking to jogging.

With less dexterity, an Enterprise reporter fumbled and quickly snapped a picture of the trio. Then, two of them — Barry Nelson and Sean Maguire — leaped onto a fire truck and sped off.

Chief Anthony Carrow stayed behind, unperturbed by what some would call an exciting and intimidating moment.

Just half an hour before, Carrow, Nelson, and Maguire had relaxed in a conference room at the Western Avenue firehouse. They told The Enterprise about their love of the Westmere department and of the importance of finding new members.

Signs of pride
Recently, signs have appeared on lawns all over Westmere. They state, "A firefighter lives here...We are neighbors helping neighbors...Volunteer Today...Join Now."

The idea for the signs came from Maguire, who was asked to head a new recruitment and retention program. The program is part of a county-wide initiative.

Some Westmere residents aren’t aware of the department, Maguire said. With the fire station on Route 20, a busy multi-lane highway, they drive by it too fast to notice, he said.
"We’re trying to penetrate the neighborhoods," Maguire said.

The signs, in areas where many firefighters live, send a positive message, he said. On streets where only one sign is posted, it sends the message that volunteers are needed, he said.
"We constantly need people to step up," Maguire said.

Some people may see the signs and realize that their neighbors are firefighters, Carrow said.
"It gives a positive impression to the community," he said. "Some might say, ‘If they can do it, I can.’"
"Nationwide, there’s been a great observation about the level of volunteerism dropping...not just in fire departments," Maguire said.
Many residents think that the firefighters are paid, Carrow said. The signs will point out that this isn’t true, as they say "volunteer."
Nelson agreed. "People move to Guilderland who don’t realize it’s an all-volunteer fire department. They come from areas where there’s paid departments," he said.
"It’s important that people realize it’s volunteer," Maguire said. "It’s a very professional environment."
"It’s not just about responding to fires and coming to training classes," Carrow said. The Westmere department has a fire-prevention program and its members visit schools, he said. It holds fund-raisers and is involved in town planning, to make sure that new buildings are constructed safely.
"The signs give us community involvement," Carrow said. "It lets people know we are here for them. We have a great deal of respect for the community."
Carrow went on, "You can have many fire trucks, a large gorgeous fire department...but our most important resource is our members."
"We’re like a family," Nelson said.

Community involvement

Carrow and Nelson have both been members of the Westmere Fire Department for 18 years.
"My brother was a member, so I joined," Carrow said. "I really got a strong feeling of community involvement and personal satisfaction."

Nelson grew up in the Bronx, near a fire station. When he was a child, he said, he’d run outside to see the fire trucks every time the alarm sounded.

When Nelson moved to Guilderland, he decided to help out, he said. He enjoys the camaraderie of the department, he said; it has a softball team and a volleyball league.
"It’s important for the overall morale of the department for us to have fun together," Carrow said.

Maguire, who is younger than Carrow and Nelson, has been a member of the department for just a year.

He was an emergency medical technician in other towns and he’d always lived in a city with a paid fire department. When he moved to Guilderland, he decided to join, he said, also to help out.
"Everyone should take a couple of moments or hours out of the week and do something for the community," Maguire said.

The Westmere department has about 55 members and it purchased 50 signs at $4 each. The signs will be posted on members’ lawns for two- to three-week periods throughout the year. If the signs are always there, Maguire said, they won’t be effective as residents will be used to them.
Asked how many members he wants, Maguire asked, "How many lockers do we have""
"I’d love to go back to the community and say we need a bigger firehouse," Carrow said.
"It’s hard to say a number," Maguire said. The department needs a broad base of volunteers who can work at different times of the day, he said. Also, he said, the department doesn’t need members who can only fight fires. People are needed to assist with the business operation, he said.
"We need that spectrum of volunteers," Maguire said. "It’s like a stock portfolio. It does well when it’s diversified."