It has gotten so bad in our small town that if two homes caught fire the volunteers would have to make a choice over which one to save. Declining population, school consolidations, burdensome regulations, legal environment, addiction to government programs, and graying residents are all bad signs for maintaining a viable fire department.
Its too bad younger people are not taking advantage of this wonderful opportunity. I was a volunteer firefighter in my mid 20’s and it taught me skills I still use today not only as a CEO but as a father.
I know the military is spending a lot of money trying to figure out where they are going to get their recruits. Weight, depression and other issues seem to impact our younger generation more so than in the past. Also, we don’t volunteer as much. Read “Bowling Alone” for a brilliant account of the decline of “joining” in the US.
here’s another issue, if they are volunteer, why is not the city or state giving them tax breaks for so-many hours worked. obviously they are not getting paid, but want to help. if training is paid by the individual, why not allow it to be tax-deducted because it is for a volunteer fire fighting duty. some cities now are pursuing volunteers for emt services and firefighters as well. if you volunteer your time, training is free; you just have to commit so many hours at the station.
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It has gotten so bad in our small town that if two homes caught fire the volunteers would have to make a choice over which one to save. Declining population, school consolidations, burdensome regulations, legal environment, addiction to government programs, and graying residents are all bad signs for maintaining a viable fire department.
Its too bad younger people are not taking advantage of this wonderful opportunity. I was a volunteer firefighter in my mid 20’s and it taught me skills I still use today not only as a CEO but as a father.
I know the military is spending a lot of money trying to figure out where they are going to get their recruits. Weight, depression and other issues seem to impact our younger generation more so than in the past. Also, we don’t volunteer as much. Read “Bowling Alone” for a brilliant account of the decline of “joining” in the US.
NG
Good points I hadn’t considered.
here’s another issue, if they are volunteer, why is not the city or state giving them tax breaks for so-many hours worked. obviously they are not getting paid, but want to help. if training is paid by the individual, why not allow it to be tax-deducted because it is for a volunteer fire fighting duty. some cities now are pursuing volunteers for emt services and firefighters as well. if you volunteer your time, training is free; you just have to commit so many hours at the station.