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HAWTHORNE, N.Y. Theyre the people who leave work unexpectedly or homes in the middle of the night to help during a fire. Now theyre looking for help themselves: The Hawthorne Fire Company is actively looking to add new members.
Its getting to a point now where were starting looking to add some people to fill out some voids, said Andy Mancusi, a fire commissioner with the Hawthorne Department.
The Hawthorne Fire Department is made up entirely of volunteers and serves inside the hamlet of Hawthorne. Over the past few months, the company has held open house events to attract new members.
Anyone wishing to join must be at least 18 and go through a standard background check. Both men and women are welcome. You must either live within the Hawthorne Fire District or the surrounding area of town, or work a minimum of 40 hours per week in the district. Once those boxes are checked, the applicant must go through basic training.
Applicants can then go through the initial training program, which is offered at the county fire training facility in Valhalla, Mancusi said. The course usually takes about 80 hours to complete, and its your basic fire training.
Anyone wishing to join is 16 to 18 years old may do so with consent from a parent or guardian. Those ages 14 to 16 may join the departments venturing program through their local scout troop.
Interested people can visit the department headquarters at 25 Home St. in Hawthorne or online at www.hawthornefireems.com.
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