Requesting Manpower: Local fire departments struggling with lack of volunteers

“You just don’t see that volunteer spirit like you used to.” That is how Williamsburg Fire Chief Larry Todd described the situation when it comes to the lack of volunteer firefighters in Whitley County, and across the nation.

In all, the county has 8 volunteer fire departments – South Whitley, Pleasant View, Emlyn, Patterson Creek, Goldbug, Rockhold, Oak Grove and Woodbine – and Williamsburg Fire Department, which has some paid firefighters on staff, but is mostly made up of volunteers. That may sound like a lot, but the truth is that no one department would be able to adequately do its job without support from the others.

“We’re screwed if we’re responding to a fire here in Williamsburg, and then South Whitley suddenly gets called out,” said James Moses, a longtime volunteer who serves with the Williamsburg, Goldbug and Pleasant View fire departments, among others. “There may not be anyone available to respond. It has already happened several times this year that we are actively responding to a call and then we’ll get another one from a different department.”

“We really have to depend on the help that we get from other departments,” added Patterson Creek Fire Chief Peejib Paul.

So, what are some of the main issues behind the lack of volunteerism at local fire departments today? According to Pleasant View Fire Chief Thomas Manning, much of it may be due to tough economic circumstances.

“I think some of the problem is that people are having to work 2-3 jobs in order to support their families,” Manning said. “That means that they have less time to volunteer. There is always time to help out, though. A lot of us are on 2-3 different departments. If you really want to help, then go to the fire chief in your area. Mention that you have to work a lot, but you also really want to help out.”

Manning also mentioned that, just because you are a part of a fire department, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you will have to be faced with running into burning buildings. From driving trucks, running hoses, conducting traffic control or helping with equipment retrieval and transportation after a fire fight, he said there is a job for anyone who is willing and able.

Assistant Williamsburg Fire Chief Troy Thomas said that trying to sell people on volunteering is much tougher than it used to be, partly due to a change in overall attitude over the years.

“Being a volunteer is a hard ticket to sell,” Thomas explained. “I have tremendous respect for volunteers, because they do the same things that I do, but for free. You risk your life for free. It’s hard to sell, it really is. Especially to the younger generation.”

“You love your community as a volunteer,” Thomas continued. “You really want to help your community, and the younger generation is not really getting into that. They’re not buying into their communities as much. It won’t be long before the older generation has to retire and give it up, though, and I don’t know what’s going to happen.”

What would happen? That is a question that was asked to Whitley County Judge Executive Pat White, Jr., and while he says we are not in any immediate danger of losing our local volunteer fire departments, the thought of not having them at some point in the future is rather worrisome.

“The county would have the option to create a county-wide fire department, but it would be very difficult,” White said, adding that the cost associated with such an undertaking would no doubt be burdensome to taxpayers.

Currently, the fiscal court gives each local volunteer fire department $10,000 yearly in order to help cover operational expenses. Even with that amount, departments are still very much dependent on the generous support of their communities, but some help is certainly better than none, which is what departments received from the fiscal court prior to White’s administration.

When asked to offer his personal thoughts on the challenges that volunteer fire departments are currently facing, White said, “It is a trend in general in our country, and not just with volunteer firefighting, but with volunteerism altogether. Talk with Little League groups about how difficult it is to get coaches and referees. Talk to your church groups about how lacking they are in volunteers who can help with things like vacation Bible school. People just aren’t volunteering their time like they did in previous generations, and it is very concerning.”

Echoing what Manning had to say about economic difficulties, White agreed that the pressures of working adults to make ends meet probably contributes to a lack of volunteers these days. He also mentioned that an apparent lack of appreciation is likely a contributing factor as well.

“People don’t realize how important volunteer fire companies are,” said Troy Thomas. “I have always said that firefighters are kind of like toilet paper… we’re only thought of when we’re needed, but when someone does need us, they are sure glad we’re there.”

Larry Todd and Emlyn Fire Chief Matt Witt also expressed concern over the ever-increasing cost of operating a fire department, with Todd pointing out that an annually earmarked $11,500 in state aid simply does not go as far as it once did considering the fact that it takes roughly $7,000 to fully equip just one firefighter with the gear that he/she needs to be effective in a firefight.

Still, as conversations continue regarding the most effective means of fundraising, the most pressing matter at the current moment is the lack of hands, feet and heads that can help with not just fire emergencies, but traffic accidents, blocked roadways, medical calls, and any other type of situation where a well-trained first responder might be of use.

“In years to come, this could turn into a problem that we very well could have to deal with,” White said of what could happen if the number of volunteers continues to dwindle. “It is kind of scary, and could be life-threatening. It could be very dangerous for people if there are no volunteers left to perform these services.”

“This is what it takes for a community to grow, thrive, and get better,” White concluded. “People have to care. Seeing how much value volunteer firefighters add to our community, it has really given me a new appreciation for it. If anyone is thinking about doing it, then I think you should meet with your local fire department. I think you would be surprised at how fulfilling it would be to get out there and help people. I think making a difference like that would add to your self-esteem, your sense of community, and to the overall well-being of Whitley County.”

Todd and Thomas said that anyone who signs up to become a volunteer with a local fire department should be able to begin responding to scenes within about a month, assuming they complete all of the proper paperwork, evaluations and initial training. For more information, contact the fire department that is located nearest you.