Suffolk officials say there has been a 16% increase in house fires and a 37% increase in fire calls amid a decline in the number of volunteer firefighters.

On Friday, Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine joined with first responders to highlight the importance of volunteer firefighters, urging residents to join their ranks.

In the past two months, FRES Commissioner Rudy Sunderman said there have been approximately 28,000 alarms in Suffolk County. More than 50 of those have been for working structure fires.

Sunderman said his department, the Mastic Fire Department, has seen a 6% decrease in members.

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine said there are benefits to being a volunteer firefighter, which include medical services, tax benefits and college tuition reimbursements.