JUNCTION CITY, Ore. (AP) -- Facing an increase in calls and a decline in volunteers, the rural fire protection district here is considering joining the growing ranks of fire departments nationwide using free housing to attract live-in volunteers.
The Junction City Rural Fire Protection District will ask voters to support a $2.5 million bond measure from voters on Nov. 2 to build a new fire hall.
The 16,660-square-foot building would include a living quarter for four ``resident volunteers.''
The volunteers are expected to receive a free room in exchange for being on duty at the fire hall on certain hours or days.
The practice of providing living quarters for firefighters began decades ago in the sparsely populated but geographically sprawling fire districts of the Midwest to ensure overnight staffing. Now, it has become part of the sales pitch to lure firefighters.
