Volunteer Firefighter Numbers Down Nationwide

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Volunteer Firefighter Numbers Down Nationwide

There are more than a million firefighters across the country, and three fourths of them are volunteers. But their numbers are declining.

The National Volunteer Fire Council says there has been a 10% drop in volunteers over the last two decades. They are also reporting an increase in the number of calls.

Between checking the equipment, false alarms, and of course, fighting fires, being a volunteer firefighter is like a second job.

"We're not here all the time, but we try to be here as much as possible," says German Township, Indiana Fire Department Captain Ron Melser. Except with this job, you don't get a paycheck. When you are called out, it's time you spend away from your job, or your family.

"Most of the people in the fire department have a family. So, we have kids, but we don't get to see them very often," says Melser.

"You want to help, that's what you want to do, but you have a family also, so those are the kind of decisions you have to make as a volunteer" says German Township Fire Volunteer, Captain Ken Miller.

Those are a couple of reasons why firefighters say volunteer numbers are down At German Township they have 14 volunteers, which is half the manpower they really need.

"We've had up to 30, some odd firefighters and then we've been down to as less as 12," says Melser.

That's why when fires occur, you will likely see multiple fire departments helping out. Also, firefighters say, these days with volunteers, there is more training involved.

"A lot of training, a lot of EMS; our department is advanced support, so we have a lot of schooling for that," explains Miller. But to some volunteers, that's just part of the job.

"We take a lot of pride in being there on time and taking care of them, giving them the best care they can get until they get to the hospital," says Miller.

Volunteer firefighters at German Township do get paid every month for vehicle and equipment maintenance. However, it is a very small amount considering on average, it costs about $7000 to train and equip a volunteer.