Long Island sees drop in volunteer firefighter recruitment

By Camryn Bowden

A national issue impacting counties across the United States is being felt here on Long Island. Fire departments in Nassau and Suffolk counties are seeing drops in the recruitment and retention rate of volunteer firefighters.

These unpaid heroes are vital for keeping communities safe. They are also the backbone of almost all of Long Island’s 179 fire departments. The Long Island Advocate’s Camryn Bowden spoke to Uniondale Fire Commissioner Fitzroy Morgan and Nassau County Legislator Olena Nicks about the reduction in force.