WOODGATE — The Woodgate Volunteer Fire Department was recently honored for their recruitment and retention efforts by the Firefighters Association of the State Of New York.

The Woodgate department received the 2022 Recruitment and Retention Award on Sept. 16 at the Old Forge Fire School, where FASNY was hosted their Old Forge Youth program. This annual award from FASNY recognizes success and excellence in recruitment and retention, and recipients demonstrate positive results from a comprehensive approach to recruiting and retaining members of the volunteer fire service, officials said.

For the past five years, Woodgate Volunteer Fire Department has held an open house event each year during the RecruitNY Weekend.

This has not only been a positive camaraderie-building activity for current members but also a chance to show the community why the Woodgate Fire and EMS are essential in the community, officials said.

“Each year, we honor an outstanding department who has gone above and beyond in their efforts to recruit volunteer firefighters,” said FASNY President Ed Tase, who presented the award.

“We are proud to present Woodgate Fire Department with this year’s award. We are looking for departments like this who are helping recruit and retain volunteers and, in turn, keeping New York communities safe.”

The Woodgate Fire Department also offers hands-on classes to help residents learn how to develop a fire escape plan, as well as Fire Extinguisher 101 and other safety classes. The Woodgate department even provides a Junior Firefighter Obstacle Course for children to don gear and test their skills.

The agency promotes different types of memberships in their department, as many may not be physically able to respond to emergencies, officials said. They focus on quality over quantity and making the whole experience of being a Woodgate Fire Department member something to be proud of, officials noted.