Volunteer Firefighters need the community's help

Volunteer fire companies throughout the commonwealth face two similar problems, funding and recruitment.

Historically, both have been an issue within the volunteer fire service and continue to be highly recognized concerns for volunteer fire departments and elected officials. The public seems to be unaware of this concern.

Most fire departments use an annual fund drive letter to seek funds and use the same opportunity to seek new volunteers.

Funding continues to remain a major consideration for all fire departments.

While more grants are available today as compared with previous years, the public should not be misled.

These grants are oftencompetitive and at times extremely difficult to obtain.

Our state officials have recognized the funding issues and have earmarked $40 million from the gaming funds to be divided by the nearly 2,600 fire departments throughout the state.

While the grant money is a big boost to an organization's financial obligation, the cost of operating a fire department has increased exponentially. The $12,000 to $15,000 a fire company may receive only accounts for a small percentage of the overall budget. The high cost of apparatus, equipment and properly protecting firefighters continue to plague many departments.

While the state has and continues to seek ways to assist the volunteers, some local municipalities have been delinquent in their responsibility to do their part in funding their volunteer fire companies. Thus, the burden falls on the shoulders of the members and officers of the fire company.

To meet the monthly financial obligations, members spend a great deal of time fundraising. One such fundraiser is an annual fund drive where volunteers send out letters or fliers to their residents seeking a donation or purchase of a ticket or membership to raise funds. These funds are necessary due to the high cost of apparatus, personal protective equipment, training, and operation and building expenses.

Without the financial support of the local residents, many volunteer fire departments do without needed equipment or personal protection. Future failure to support these organizations will directly result in the elimination of their nearby fire station or force consolidation and the closing of some fire stations.

Many fire officials complain about the lack of funds received from their fund drives.

It is said that volunteers save residents within the commonwealth billions of dollars. If the general public continues to ignore these pleas for financial support, consolidation and/or elimination are imminent.

Worse is the fact that when or if there is no local volunteer fire company, the burden of providing fire protection will be placed directly on the taxpayer. Consequently, each taxpayer would be assessed a tax to fund fire protection either on a local or regional level. To alleviate this, residents can do their part by supporting their volunteer fire company's annual fund drive.

A small donation will go a long way. If we all do our part annually by donating a small amount, we can and will keep ourselves and our community safe while at the same time reducing the risk of higher taxes and elimination of our volunteer fire departments.

Lastly, we ask a lot of our volunteer firefighters. Unlike other volunteers who do one thing, the firefighter has to do three things - one, they have to fundraise; two, they have to train; and three, they have to answer the call, fight fires and jeopardize their life. Firefighters agree they can do two of the three things.

We ask you, which two do you consider important and want us to do, and which one can you do to keep our volunteers safe, protected and financially solvent?

Please help us help you by donating.

Rory Koons is the president of the Aquashicola Fire Company.

The foregoing opinions do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editorial Board or Times News LLC.