Fire department opens doors Saturday, seeks new volunteers for summer calls

With summer activity picking up along the Tioughnioga and around town, the Marathon Volunteer Fire Department is inviting neighbors to step forward as new volunteer firefighters and EMS responders. Department officers say they see a seasonal bump in calls as outdoor work, travel, and warm‑weather events increase, and they hope to add hands before the busiest weeks arrive.

An open house is planned for this Saturday at the firehall on Brink Street. Visitors can tour the station and trucks, meet current members, and learn what volunteering involves. Organizers said application forms will be available on site, and they’ll walk interested residents through next steps. If you can’t make it, the department encourages folks to reach out directly at the station; details are posted at the firehall and on the department’s social media.

No prior experience is required, and all training and protective gear are provided at no cost to volunteers, organizers said. The department welcomes a range of roles—from interior firefighting (for those who complete the full course and medical clearance) to exterior operations, EMS first response, and scene support such as rehab and traffic control. Daytime availability is especially helpful, but evening and weekend volunteers are also needed.

Application steps generally include completing a department application, a background check as required by state and county guidelines, a basic physical/medical clearance, and a new‑member orientation. New members typically begin as probationary volunteers while they attend training and get familiar with the station’s procedures and equipment.

Training runs throughout the year through county and state programs. According to department officers, the next round of entry‑level firefighting classes offered in Cortland County is expected to begin in early summer, with evening sessions and some hands‑on days. An EMT course is typically scheduled later in the year; the department can outline what that commitment looks like and how to prepare. Regular in‑house drills at the Brink Street firehall help new members build skills alongside experienced crews.

If you’re curious but uncertain about the time commitment, stop by Saturday to ask questions—members can explain how families, students, retirees, and shift workers have found ways to serve. As one officer put it, the department simply needs “more neighbors who are willing to help neighbors.”

Look for flyers around Main Street and updates from the department this week. The open house is free and family‑friendly; drop‑ins are welcome.

Photo: Kenneth C. Zirkel / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).