ONONDAGA COUNTY, N.Y. -- Firefighters are encouraging more men and women to join their ranks.

Representatives with the Firemen's Association of the State of New York held a press conference Thursday to remind people of the upcoming Recruit New York weekend.

FASNY launched the event last year. This weekend again, fire halls across the state will be open to visitors.

Officials say the benefits of being a firefighter include learning new skills, meeting new people and enjoying financial benefits. They say joining a fire department used to be a rite of passage in a community, but not anymore. And volunteers are badly needed.

"You have a lot of families who have, while both parents are working, they're working second jobs. They have to volunteer for Little League. That's how they spend time with their children. So there are a lot of social pressures nowadays," said George Davenport, FASNY Recruitment Retention Committee Chair.

To find an open house, or for more information about Recruit New York weekend, visit recruitny.org.