“I grew up in rural Arkansas and we had no rural fire department. We had a chimney fire and I remember the fear on my father’s face and the terror I felt when I realized we were on our own with no one to call for help,” recalls Christine Halmes, firefighter/licensed Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) for Inspiration Point. Halmes is a volunteer, and she recounts this and a couple other emergency situations without a fire and rescue service as being one of the factors that shaped her decision to volunteer. She’s not alone.
As of 2018 there were 1,115,000 firefighters in the United States, and 67 percent are volunteers, according to the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC.)
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) reports that, in 2020, there were 1,030,760 Emergency Medical Service providers in the United States, ranging from Emergency Medical Responders to EMTs, to paramedics in the United States. Only 219,000 were paid positions.
The above numbers are overlapping, since nearly all EMR service providers are affiliated with fire departments. Of the 29,705 fire departments in the country, 19,112 are all volunteer, 5,206 are mostly volunteer, 2,368 are mostly career, and 3,009 are all career, according to NVFC.
What are the requirements?
To be a firefighter in Arkansas, you may or may not be required to have formal firefighter school training, but you must be at least 18, have a driver’s license, and be of good moral character. Some regions impose different age requirements, and some prefer EMR training.
EMRs in Arkansas get a certificate issued by local EMS authorities and/or the Arkansas Fire Training Academy. They are trained to provide immediate lifesaving care such as CPR. EMTs do everything an EMR does, but also administer emergency medications, and are trained in transport and ongoing patient assessment. In Arkansas EMTs are nationally certified and licensed, and required to take an examination.
An Arkansas paramedic undergoes EMT training and more advanced coursework and clinical training. Paramedics perform advanced medication administration including pain meds, diagnostics, providing intravenous infusions, and other duties. All require continuing education and recertification or re-licensure.
Recent shortages and increased need
There is a shortage of volunteer EMS providers and firefighters in Arkansas.
The Daily Dispatch, an online newsletter for American fire services reported Gassville Fire Chief Michael Glotzl’s statement in a July 20 article, “Our number one problem is the significant decline of volunteer firefighters. In our county, this is true. In our nation, this is true. An NFPA [National Fire Protection Association] report in 2019 shows a steady 30, almost 40, year decline in volunteer firefighters.”
Thoughts from local responders
Grassy Knob Assistant Fire Chief Woody Barlow credits his military service, previous experience as an FAA air traffic controller and sense of community responsibility for his volunteer status.
Grassy Knob Fire Department Chief Robert McVey is a volunteer firefighter/EMR. “Medical calls are probably 90 percent of what we do. We don’t have that many fires, thank goodness,” McVey said. Grassy Knob has five EMRs, four of whom are usually available but not always, “So we really need more. Come January, Eureka Springs will offer an EMT course.” The Arkansas Department of Health will let an EMT ride in an ambulance with one paramedic.
Asked why he volunteers, McVey answers, “Community service. And among our firefighters and our EMTs there’s a camaraderie. And we get a good feeling from that camaraderie if you know what I’m saying.”
As for the need for more volunteers, he explains, “People come and go. This is a resort area. Grandma and grandpa live here, and they want to move back to where the kids are. Even some of our volunteers move out of the area. So, we’re always looking.” Regarding who is a good candidate to be a volunteer, McVey is quick to say that “Regardless of their background, they can be trained, EMR or EMT. Or even firefighter. If you can’t put the air pack on and go in on a fire, maybe you can drive a truck.”
Halmes says at least 80 percent of her Inspiration Point calls are medical. Like Grassy Knob they are 100 percent volunteer. She’s been a licensed EMT since March 2020. Asked why she does it, she replies, “Because there’s a need. Inspiration Point needs me, I can do the job, and it’s a commitment to community service, to the people there.”
She said the other volunteers there inspire her. Eureka Springs provides ongoing CEUs monthly, and she combines those classes with an annual EMT conference in Hot Springs sponsored by the State of Arkansas EMT Association and commercial online courses involving virtual lectures and online exams for a total of 40 Continuing Education Units annually.
“We always need more volunteers,” Halmes said, noting it’s tricky finding people with the right mix of time, ability, and desire to do the work. There are jobs for people “who may not be able to rope down to get to the injured motorcycle victim but who might be able to help pass a hose or bring water to others. We’re looking for anyone who wants to help.” She says that “The people who bring me cold water are the best people in the world at that point.”
There is an upcoming membership drive for the I.P. Fire Department (or Auxiliary fund-raising arm) Dec. 4, 6-8 p.m. at Inspiration Point Station One, 31 Ozark Automotive Rd. (US62West).
Self-test
Halmes says, “I ask myself often, ‘If I were sick or hurt would I want to see me approaching?’ And the answer is always yes, I would want to see me coming. As long as I can honestly say that to myself, I’m good. That’s my criteria.”