ENDICOTT, N.Y. — The West Endicott volunteer Fire Department is in danger of being forced to shut down.

According to the chief, staff has dwindled down to just seven interior firefighters.

When the department was founded back in the '20s, it had a crew of 68.

The decline is being linked to a lack of interest from men and women in the 17 to 30-year-old range.

It has also become difficult to find potential members who are willing to put in the time to get properly trained and certified.

With such a small crew, the department is finding it harder to respond to fires.

"You need two people to go into the building, you need two people outside the building, you need a drive pump operator, you need an officer to coordinate. It's very manpower intensive," said Michael Tremblay, West Endicott Fire Dept. first assistant chief.

The department will be part of a night out event on August 7 at West Endicott Park for anyone interested in joining.