By Azra Haqqie
The Times Union (Albany, New York)
Copyright 2007 The Hearst Corporation
All Rights Reserved
SCHODACK, N.Y. — When they were dating, David Quinn and Laurie Ferris talked about her role as a South Schodack Fire Department volunteer. Back then in 1989, her father, Roland Ferris, was the chief.
Quinn recalled he had always liked to help people, so this line of work appealed to him. “At college, I was a lifeguard. As a Boy Scout, I took a first-aid class,” he said. Here was another way to help the community, and also spend some time with the woman he would marry. Today, they have two children. David Quinn is the chief. Laurie is assistant chief.
They are both also volunteer emergency medical technicians with Castleton Volunteer Ambulance Service.
Quinn feels lucky that his paid job is helping volunteer firefighters. He is chief administrative officer at the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY), which serves 100,000 volunteer firefighters and the public they protect.
“My job is to make sure things are flowing. I report to the board and make sure the mission of FASNY is being followed,” he said.
That mission includes supporting education, communication, recognition, community service and legislation.
In addition, he said, “We are always trying to recruit with both hats I wear.”
Following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, volunteer fire departments initially saw a spike in recruitment.
“That lasted four to six months, and then subsided,” Quinn said.
Since the attacks, volunteer firefighters’ training and equipment has greatly increased, as the Department of Homeland Security instituted training for all firefighters under the National Incident Management System, Quinn said.
“We are struggling,” he said, noting the need for volunteers for both fire services and emergency medical systems. “We try to get people interested in serving their community.”
To attract them, several programs are in place. One is the Length of Service Award Program, which sets aside funds to reward each year of volunteering. “The emergency services personnel have to earn points, using the number of calls, training programs and volunteer work. At the same time, we ask them to do a little extra,” Quinn said.
While many departments have a majority of men, some have an equal male-female ratio, and women are being recruited. Youth firefighter programs for those up to age 18 also exist to build the next generation of company members.
“We are always trying to recruit with both hats I wear,” said Quinn. Along with those efforts, he keeps busy as chief, responsible for all facets of the department.
“I really enjoy it,” Quinn said. “It takes a little time, but at the end of the day, it is worth it.”