While their rigs may be different colors, fire companies in northeastern Pennsylvania are experiencing a similar issue -- a shortage of volunteers.
The recent fire at an Olyphant apartment building may have been a whole lot worse if not for the number of volunteer firefighters who raced to the scene, PAHomepage reported.
But fire officials realize that doesn't always happen. That's why they met Sunday to discuss it.
“This is a first of its kind in Northeastern Pennsylvania, where we’ve opened it up to elected municipal and Township officials to get together and meet with volunteer fire companies. We’ve got three or four different counties represented here today,” said Throop Volunteer Hose Chief Andy Hegedus.
“It’s open dialogue to talk about the challenges when it comes to response, equipment purchasing, manpower, and shared resources,” he explained.
The chief says the challenges of today are greater than in previous decades.
“We do struggle with manpower. There is a little bit of a lack of volunteerism that’s occurring. Lifestyles have changed. People are working jobs that don’t permit them to respond at certain times so we depend on mutual aid partners."
All departments are involved in recruitment and retention activities.
