Sixty fire departments across the state will host open houses Saturday in an effort to explain to the public the importance of volunteer firefighters, according to a news release.

The open houses, which will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., coincide with Volunteer Firefighter Day and will help kick off National Volunteer Week, which starts Sunday.

In Connecticut, where more than 80 percent of the state's more than 26,000 fire personnel are volunteers, many departments are experiencing a volunteer shortage, according to the release.

Departments are seeking volunteers of all skill levels and abilities to fill emergency response and support positions.

Volunteer Firefighter Day is an initiative of Everyday Hero CT, which is a two-year campaign launched in partnership with the Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association and the International Association of Fire Chiefs to address the state's shortage of volunteer firefighters. Everyday Hero CT is funded by a U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant.

Local departments hosting open houses include:

• Center Groton Volunteer Fire Company

• Flanders Fire Department, East Lyme

• Gardner Lake Volunteer Fire Company, Salem

• Ledyard Fire Company

• Niantic Fire Department

• Preston City Volunteer Fire Department

• Taftville Volunteer Fire Department