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Shortage of volunteer firefighters in our region
By: WSAZ Charleston's Samantha Kozey
CHARLESTON, WV, June 6, 2002 - You hope help arrives when you need it. West Virginia is in a crisis. There may not be enough firefighters to help in an emergency. But, the problem doesn't stop there. Time is also a factor. Volunteer fire departments are under a lot of strain as they try to make sure you are protected.
In a matter of minutes, a home in northern Kanawha County went up in flames. By the time firefighters arrived, all they could do was keep the fire from spreading. Most firefighters around West Virginia are volunteers. Volunteers are responsible for 87% of the state. Out of 448 fire departments in West Virginia, 16 are paid. The rest are volunteer. This year alone, there will be an estimated 11,000 fires. But, as the number of fires goes up, there are fewer people fighting them.
West Virginia Fire Marshal Sterling Lewis Jr. says, "Fire calls have increased almost 60%. So, they are running more calls with fewer people". It's a problem Chief Tom Johnson, with the Sissonville Volunteer Fire Department, sees on a daily basis. Chief Johnson says, "It's weak in the whole valley. We have departments that are willing to go. But, we don't have adequate trained people. We had to get several people from different stations to get a full turnout".
And it's not just about manpower. It's about time. The time it takes for the volunteers to get to an emergency. Many volunteer stations have closed and relocated to cover a bigger area and it takes longer to respond. Chief Johnson says, "Ten minutes in a house fire is a big difference. It's critical".
That's why the state has created a committee that will look at how to keep firefighters and how to recruit new ones. West Virginia Fire Marshal Sterling Lewis Jr. says, "They are starting to see volunteer fire service is first line of defense against everything prior to state, federal back up teams. Without volunteers they don't have protection".
The state is looking at several options to recruit firefighters, including offering college credit. And for those not going to college, if they get trained and become firefighters, they could get their hunting and fishing license. But, again these are just ideas at this point.
It used to be a tradition for fathers and sons to be firefighters. But, it's not that way anymore. People have to work and those demands appear too much for someone to volunteer all the hours that are needed to be a firefighter. As for the kids, many are forced to leave the area for jobs. So, we are losing a generation of firefighters.
Courtesy of WSAZ News Channel 3 
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