Recruit NY Recruitment Drive

"We Dare You to Cross the Fire Line"

It's no secret that we need many more volunteer firefighters! Our membership has significantly dropped in recent years and we NEED your help. By volunteering, it helps keep the LMFD Fire Tax at a minimal level. In 2025, the Lake Mohegan Fire District answered 1,393 Fire/Rescue calls. Our response area spans approximately 42 square miles providing service to both parts of the Town of Yorktown and the Town of Cortlandt in Northern Westchester County, and provides mutual aid assistance to numerous other fire departments.

On Sunday April 19, 2026 from 10am-2pm, we will hold our annual Recruit NY Recruitment Drive at our Fire Headquarters located at 1975 East Main St (Rt. 6) in Mohegan Lake. The Mohegan Volunteer Fire Association will join volunteer fire departments from all across New York State at their respective firehouses for this unified recruitment drive. Not only will RecruitNY be an opportunity to highlight the rewards and responsibilities that come with being a volunteer firefighter, it will also raise public awareness about the need for volunteers. The goal of RecruitNY is that the collaborative effort among volunteer fire departments statewide will help increase the number of volunteer firefighters.

On this day, we will be able to discuss the requirements to be a volunteer firefighter, as well as answer questions, and let our visitors (prospective members) know how to get involved in the fire department. Our firefighters will be on hand and can assist those interested in joining. Typically, open houses are for children and primarily focused on fire prevention, this open house is not intended for that cause. This open house is centered directly on recruiting new membership!

Any questions please email us at info@moheganfire.com.

To join, you must be 16 years or older to join the fire department. Last year, this drive was successful and gained members from it!

There are no monthly hourly requirements and the time that you dedicate allows you to accommodate you and your family’s schedule. All members must make some minimum requirements to remain active each year. Any amount of time that you can offer will greatly benefit you, your family, and your community! We are all neighbors helping neighbors and are here for each other.

No experience is required. We are here to help you become certified, trained and accustomed to what it takes to be a first responder. All of the training is free and is provided to you as a member.

If you're asking yourself what's in it for you...here's what to expect:

Training including but is not limited to:

1) New York State Certified Firefighter 1 requirements
2) Annual Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA), Confined Space, and Departmental Training Requirements
3) Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and First Aid Training
4) Additional Federal, NY State, Westchester County, and Departmental training courses

Some of our Specialized Units include:

1) Firefighter Assist Search Team (FAS-Team), which responds mutual aid to other fire departments to assist at fire scenes in case a problem occurs to a fellow firefighter (lost/trapped/disoriented/injured)

2) Fire-Police Unit, which assists on scenes by directing traffic/traffic control and assisting with crowd control. Our Fire-Police members are sworn Peace Officers in our towns (Cortlandt and Yorktown)

3) MVFA Community Risk Reduction/Fire Prevention Team, which educates the general public on fire prevention and various other safety-oriented education at various community events and educates the children at numerous school visits using our props and simulators.

Some Benefits to Being an Active Member:

1) New York State Length of Service Awards Program (LOSAP) Retirement
2) MVFA Benevolent Benefits Program
3) Scholarships and Tuition Reimbursements for young members pursuing College Students
4) Tax Credit and Property Tax Reductions
5) Eligibility for affordable health coverage through the New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP)
6) Access to essential insurance coverage under the Volunteer Firefighter Benefits Law (VFBL) of New York State
Health checkups

If you like what you hear, we are located at 1975 East Main St (Rt. 6) Mohegan Lake, NY 10547. Feel free to stop in and say hello and pick up an application to join. You MUST be a minimum of 16 years old to join and be a resident of the Lake Mohegan Fire District. We are more than happy to show you around!