22-04-2025
Why the Steuben County Courthouse is shining red for volunteer firefighters
BATH, N.Y. (WETM) — Residents and commuters through Bath might have noticed the Steuben County Courthouse lit up with red light recently, aimed at drawing attention to volunteer firefighters.
The 'Light Up NY Red' campaign has begun across the state, with Steuben County bringing to light the issue of declining enrollment in volunteer firefighters.
From April 21 to April 27, the campaign asks residents, government organizations, and others to shine a red light in front of their home, business, or government building to bring awareness to the volunteer firefighter shortage in New York State.
The campaign claims that over the last 20 years, New York has seen a 33% drop in volunteer firefighter numbers, with 80,000 active volunteers in the state.
Local Parish Priest reflects on Pope Francis' death, legacy of compassion
Steuben County officials are happy to draw awareness to this issue while mentioning the importance volunteer firefighters are in a community.
'We are proud to participate in this important initiative,' said Tim Marshall, Steuben County Director of Public Safety. 'Lighting our courthouse red symbolizes our deep appreciation for the dedicated men and women who volunteer their time and risk their lives to keep our communities safe,' he said.
'Light Up NY Red' leads into RecruitNY weekend on April 26-27 where volunteer fire departments across the state hold fundraiser and recruitment events to try and bolsert numbers. Numerous departments in the Southern Tier will be holding events such as Village of Bath, Southport, Painted Post, Town and County Fire Department, and many others. A whole list of departments can be found on the RecruitNY website.
The Firefighters Association of the State of New York (FASNY) is asking the public to share their homes lit-up in red, firehouses, or businesses with a caption to photos@ for the chance to be included in the statewide magazine and social media platforms.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
