SOUTHPORT, N.Y. (WENY) -- A statewide push for volunteer firefighter recruitment kicked off this weekend. Departments across New York, including some in our backyard are ready and eager to display their craft to potential applicants.

Fire departments have opened their doors all over the Empire State as part of RecruitNY, an initiative to boost membership of fire crews, many of whom are made up of mostly volunteers -- crucial to the safety of many Southern Tier communities.

"What we look for is people that are driven, people that want to give back to their community, people that want to help one another and be involved, and that changes. You can be involved with some of our social events, some can be involved with responding to calls. Whatever it may be we usually have a job for you," said Southport VFD Assistant Chief Myles Baker Jr.

Southport Volunteer Fire Department is one of many looking to boost their numbers in this year's campaign. RecruitNY is headed by the Firefighters Association of the State of New York and helps provide resources to participating departments.

"It's important because we need members. Every department across the county, across the state, volunteerism is down quite a bit and it's important because here we're 100% volunteer. We don't have any paid staff, and when the alarm sounds, you're getting every member of staff available at the time to come out and help," remarked Baker Jr.

If you would like to learn more Southport Fire has open training meetings Mondays at 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM -- and you can fill out an application.