It is evident that volunteers are a thing of the past listening to organizations throughout the country. Does everyone realize that 65% of the firefighters in the United States are volunteers. Even a higher percentage in New York State. Volunteer firefighters have dwindled down over 100, 000 active members in the last 10 years while answering 30% to 50% more calls to emergencies. They save taxpayers billions of dollars by training to do the job and ask for nothing in return. Due to the call volumes going up in all communities, your help is needed more than ever to volunteer. The dynamics in communities have changed. Sons and daughters leave the area for better opportunities. Tradesmen and farmers suffer as well. Two job families are needed to afford housing and time is precious with all the activities we partake in. That leaves volunteering on the back burner and we need to change that!

“Dirty Jobs” star Mike Rowe sums up the need to bring back volunteers in the community with an interview of two volunteer firefighters with different backgrounds and types of departments. Next long trip you take or you need to just listen to something different, you can download or listen to his podcast here: Podcast # 387: Make Me a Firefighter with Candice McDonald and Jonathan Dayton  The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has asked Mike to help them spread the word to recruit new members. A nation wide website has been established to explore opportunities in your area: makemeafirefighter.org So check them out and you’ll be glad you did!