Here & There Column 5-1-12

Fire Dept's Hold Recruitment Drives

  Sullivan County Fire Departments held open house and recruitment drives during the latter part of April in an attempt to stop a trend that has seen a decline in folks volunteering to become members of  fire departments. 

  Fire department officials have indicated that volunteerism might be up during a down economy but volunteer fire departments are suffering.

  When asked what the major obstacles are in getting folks to become volunteer firemen is increased training requirements, more duties, squeezed family lives and less-flexible employers.

  Officials indicate that recruitment at times is a problem while others say that its hard to keep people once they've joined. 

  There is also losses when folks get to a certain age that they just don't feel comfortable fighting fires and performing all the important jobs firemen do.

  Firemen leave because they have to work longer hours at their regular jobs as employers downsize, others have lost their jobs and some are moving out of the area  they serve.

  Officials also point out that in the past 20 years the number of volunteer firefighters has declined around 8 percent and volunteers make up a large percentage of the firefighting forces. 

  Some Fire Departments have had to come up with novel approaches to rounding up and retaining new recruits.

  The National Fire Protection Association gives strong indication that the volunteer fire service finds itself  at a serious fork in the road and that the number of volunteer firefighters in the United States is at a two-decade low and recruitment efforts are being hampered by numerous socioeconomic factors.

  An important figure that sometimes is not noted is the factor showing serious concern in the number of firefighters per 1,000 residents they protect.

  We can certainly be very proud of all our local fire departments in the efforts they put forth and the excellent protection they give us......but.......please.......if you can help then go and volunteer so that these great services can continue.

  God Bless all our volunteer firefighters. 

                                                            

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