“We don’t think about it until we have to” -– Something said by everyone
That “it” could be any number of life-changing events. I’ll narrow that down to those 911 incidents when emergency responders come to your aid. The location could be your home, jobsite, on the road or other places. You might be having one of the worst days in your life and when trained medical responders or firefighters show up to help you get through some major trouble, you begin to think about “it.”
Over the seven years I’ve volunteered with Inspiration Point Rural Fire Protection District Association (IPFD) in western Carroll County, Arkansas, I’ve learned a few things.
According to the National Fire Protection Association stats, in 2015, “only 4 percent of all fire department responses were to fires. Despite the decline in reported fires, fire department responses have nearly tripled from 11 million total incidents in 1985 to 33 million in 2015.”
Locally, you’ve undoubtedly seen emergency vehicles at a neighbor’s home, or have been held up in traffic for an accident and seen personnel holding a Stop sign. In our district all IPFD personnel holding those signs are cross trained in fire, medical response, Swiftwater Rescue and Hazardous Materials incidents. They are unpaid volunteers, on call 24/7.
In addition to home, structure, and grass fires, we’re here for car accidents on Highway 62, the person who’s fallen in their home, has overdosed, gotten lost on the White River, or needs to be flown out on a medical helicopter. Even cats stuck in a tree.
All-volunteer departments are the norm in rural areas. 84 percent of fire departments in Arkansas are all volunteer, 14 percent higher than the national average. Most are staffed by unpaid volunteers who break away from their jobs to train for and turn out to emergencies. They’re not reimbursed for time lost from those jobs.
On the other hand, volunteer fire departments nationwide save municipalities about $140 billion a year in firefighters’ salaries, equipment, and training.
We rely on local taxes for operation. The awareness of a fire department where one lives might go unnoticed except for seeing, once per year, a fee attached to your real estate tax assessment. Typically, the cost of this fee to the homeowner is barely enough to buy a pack of chewing gum once a day.
Those tiny fees are the lifeblood of volunteer fire departments. They cover training courses for volunteers – the same courses as those for paid career firefighters that must be repeated for recertification to meet compliance with state mandates. They help rural departments with limited budgets that require purchasing second-hand trucks and other equipment. Most departments don’t have the grant writing expertise that’s needed.
How else can you help your local fire department? Volunteer.
The average age of volunteer firefighters in Arkansas is between 60 and 65, not like those young athletic actors in movies like Backdraft.
Recruitment of volunteers is a constant challenge. Most applicants don’t understand that being a volunteer means that you don’t get paid. Even when many younger adults would like to volunteer, the reality of earning a living in Carroll County can make that seem impossible.
When looking for that upward move in one’s career, any résumé that includes “volunteer firefighter” is a big plus towards showing experience.
Why do people volunteer for the Fire and Emergency Medical Service district if there’s no pay? Some volunteer because they are challenged to learn something new, as many emergency incidents have unique aspects. Some volunteer because they know a healthy, viable Fire/EMS service keeps insurance rates down in their district. Some volunteer because they simply want to help others.
Some volunteer because once upon a time they were helped out in an emergency, maybe one that saved their life, and now they want to pay it forward. This time of year, you’re likely to start seeing the movie It’s a Wonderful Life with Jimmy Stewart. That same feeling of “What if I wasn’t there to help others” is common.
We need help with more than just manpower. Talk to your local department if you can offer your skills at writing grants or repairing heavy equipment.
Thank you. I hope you give serious thought to volunteering for your Fire/EMS district.
Jim Wallace