On Sunday, April 23, 2017, 60 volunteer fire departments throughout the state will celebrate the start of National Volunteer Week (April 23-29, 2017) by holding open houses. Hawleyville Volunteer Fire Company (34 Hawleyville Road) and Dodgingtown Volunteer Fire Department (55 Dodgingtown Road) will be participating in this special event by opening the doors to their fire houses in Newtown from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Visitors to the fire house will be able to talk with volunteer firefighters about the work they do, explore fire apparatus and turnout gear, get a tour of the fire house, and fill out an application. For more information, visit Hawleyville Fire online at www.hawleyvillefire.com or Facebook at Hawleyville-Volunteer-Fire-Company-1 and Dodgingtown Fire online at www.dodgingtownfire.com or Facebook at DodgingtownFire.
More than 80 percent of all fire personnel in Connecticut are volunteers, and the majority of fire departments throughout the state are experiencing a volunteer shortage. Local fire departments need volunteers of all skill levels and abilities, people willing and able to respond to emergencies whenever called upon.