By MES Dispatch Staff
The Briefing
- The Brockport Volunteer Fire District in New York grew from 17 interior firefighters in 2023 to 44 this year, reversing a staffing shortage even as departments nationwide report declining volunteer numbers.
- A state-funded live-in program, launched during the 2025-26 school year, lets college students interested in firefighting careers live at the station in exchange for 20 hours of duty weekly.
- The average number of firefighters responding to each call has grown from four in 2023 to more than nine as of September.
- Brockport also launched a social media recruitment campaign in 2024 and offers a restricted-access membership program allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to gain fire service experience.
- Fire Chief Adam Leggett said Brockport’s average firefighter age is 36, compared with 50 statewide; the district is now sharing its recruitment strategies with other fire districts.
BROCKPORT, N.Y. — The Brockport Volunteer Fire District has more than doubled its ranks of interior firefighters over the past three years, according to WHEC, even as volunteer fire departments nationwide report ongoing staffing shortages.
The department had 17 interior firefighters in 2023; that number has grown to 44 as of this year. A state-funded live-in program is one factor behind the increase, allowing college students interested in firefighting careers to live at the station in exchange for 20 hours of duty each week. The program began during the 2025-26 school year; one student currently lives in the bunkhouse, and the district has received two additional applications in the past month.
Live-in firefighter Tyler Lamendola, who is pursuing a master’s degree at SUNY Brockport, told WHEC the program gives him experience with different fire departments as he works toward a career in the fire service, while free housing helps him manage college expenses.
Brockport averaged four firefighters responding to each call in 2023; that average has grown to more than nine as of September. Fire Chief Adam Leggett said the district’s firefighters average 36 years old, compared with 50 statewide. The department also launched a social media recruitment campaign in 2024 targeting younger volunteers and offers a restricted-access membership program for 16- and 17-year-olds to gain fire service experience.
The department is now sharing its recruitment strategies with other fire districts seeking to increase volunteer staffing.