Friday, November 6, 2026
Fire truck rides, live demonstrations and tours of the engines were all part of the lights and sirens at the Hewlett Fire Department’s open house on Oct. 25.
The event provided attendees an opportunity to learn important fire and emergency safety information, including CPR and using an EpiPen. Out in the department’s parking lot, community members blasted mock flames as firefighters instructed them on using a nozzle and hose.
Adam Sheflin, the department’s second assistant chief, said the department has just under 60 volunteer EMTs and fire fighters. One goal of hosting the open house for the first time in five years, Sheflin said, was to attract new members.
“We used to have over 100 [members],” he said. “Numbers are dwindling, and we’re trying to do what we can to increase them and keep the volunteer fire service alive.”
From 2008 to 2023, membership in volunteer fire services across the country declined by more than 23 percent, according to the National Fire Protection Association. As well, the number of calls to fire departments nationwide has increased by 70 percent since 2008.
Hewlett Fire Department, which covers two square miles across Hewlett, Woodmere and South Valley Stream, responded to 847 calls in 2025, which department officials said they’re projected to match this year, and then some.
“Everybody’s invited always,” Sheflin said. “We’re just looking for membership and trying to get the community involved and understand what we do.”
Meanwhile, youngsters ages 12 to 17 in the community have gotten involved in the Hewlett Junior Fire Department, a youth volunteer program run through the department since 1989. Every Wednesday, they meet and alternate between fire and EMS training — and can join the department upon turning 18.
The Juniors often visit the fire department’s training course at North Woodmere Park, where they practice hose stretching, operating a nozzle and performing search and rescues in simulated firefighting exercises.
Riley Lahey, 16, is one of those juniors.
Lahey, the junior department’s acting captain, comes from a four-generation firefighting family and was inspired to follow in their footsteps. One of her favorite experiences as a junior, she said, was visiting the FASNY Firefighter’s home in Hudson, New York. At the nursing home, Riley said, they met retired volunteer firefighters and heard stories about their years of service.
Lahey hopes, she said, to become a firefighter as an adult, either locally or in college.
“This is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my life,” she said. “You get to learn so many new skills that are so useful for everyday life. You get to help your community and I feel like everybody should consider [joining].”
