Turnout coats and other firefighting equipment in the Norwich Firehouse apparatus bay. The Norwich Fire Department will be hosting a RecruitNY event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 24 at the Norwich Firehouse. Anyone interested in learning more about becoming a volunteer firefighter are welcome to attend. (Photo by Sarah Genter)

CHENANGO COUNTY — Several Chenango County fire departments are hosting RecruitNY events this Saturday, April 23 and Sunday, April 24, to teach those interested about what it's like to be a volunteer firefighter. Attendees can check out firehouses, learn about firefighting equipment and apparatus, watch demonstrations, and more.

On Sunday, April 24, the City of Norwich Fire Department will host their RecruitNY event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Norwich Firehouse, located at 31 East Main Street.

"They’ll be able to see, maybe participate, in some extrication demonstration, rope rescue stuff, maybe put on a self contained breathing apparatus, maybe go through some of the apparatus and the compartments and look and see what’s on them. Kind of a walkthrough of the apparatus and what each one is, and what it does, and what it carries," said City of Norwich Fire Department Chief Jan Papelino.

Demonstrations will be held either in the apparatus bay or behind the firehouse, depending on weather conditions.

Attendees will also learn about the process of becoming a volunteer firefighter, including the Basic Exterior Fire Operations (BEFO) class, and the backgrounds checks necessary to begin volunteering.

The Village of Oxford Fire Department will host an open house from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 23, which will feature "exhibitions and activities in firefighting and EMS, walkthrough and equipment tours," and "on-site questions with answers and applications," according to recruitny.gov.

Also on Saturday, the Genegantslet Fire Company in Smithville Flats will host a recruiting event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the Bainbridge Fire Department will hold their event from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Afton Hose Company is listed on the RecruitNY website as hosting an event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, but states that "we are in the planning stage and do not have any events firmed up at this time."

"The bottom line is, I think every department in the county, typically, is looking for more members. So whether they live in Norwich or Plymouth or Smyrna or Sherburne or anywhere," said Papelino. "If they’ve got any inkling as to whether they want to join or not they should go see somebody or stop down at their firehouse and get an application."

More information on RecruitNY can be found at recruitny.org. Information on local recruiting events can be found at recruitny.org/participation-area.