Fire departments struggling to get volunteers

Louise Carroll
·3 min read
2

FRANKLIN TWP. – The fire department in the township's Frisco neighborhood, like many other departments, is struggling to get volunteers.

Sign for Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Department in the Frisco neighborhood.
Sign for Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Department in the Frisco neighborhood.

Since the members provide emergency services, they must be ready and able to respond at any time.

Fire Chief Steve Bailey is concerned and working on the problem.

Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Chief Steve Bailey
Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Chief Steve Bailey

"We answer approximately 130 calls a year and we are functioning very well because we have a solid core of dedicated people," he said. "We are financially secure as we live in a generous community."

The department also provides basic life support when it is requested. A volunteer for 42 years and chief for 35 years, Bailey has seen the volunteer problem growing.

In 1981 when the department received its state charter, which sets a limit on how many members the fire department can have, they set the limit at 75.

Fire department flag.
Fire department flag.

"We had a waiting list of people to join. Currently, we have less than half that number and the average age is over 40," Bailey said.

Dana Baker, a Franklin Township supervisor became concerned about the community's fire department when she attended the firemen's banquet this year.

"I was impressed with what they do, but their numbers continue to decline and I don't think our township residents have a clear understanding of the decline in manpower," she said. "They need volunteers. I have been a supervisor for a year and I've had a house fire and I didn't fully understand this great need."

Like many organizations that rely on volunteers, it cannot exist without people to do the work.

Bailey said he is concerned about the decline in volunteers but he is hopeful people will respond once they understand how important it is.

He is also optimistic because Riverside High School students must do some hours of public service and they are tapping into that resource with the help of a Riverside teacher.

President/Capt. Nick Blobner, who joined the fire department in 2005 and has been president for six years, said Chris Diianni, a teacher at Riverside High School, is an advocate for all emergency services.

"As a fireman in Swissvale for a number of years, Chris Diianni understands the needs and the importance," Blobner said.

"The young volunteers are giving us hope. Out of the 16 student volunteers, five have joined the fire department. At least we got the others interested. Perhaps sometime in their life they will renew the interest and be an asset to whatever community they are in," Bailey said.

Joining the fire department does not mean you will be dashing to fires as there are many other essential jobs including bookwork and cleaning, truck and equipment maintenance.

"Being a firefighter is definitely a team sport. There is something for everyone because there is so much to firefighting; it's about science, math, life skills and working together," Bailey said.

He said when people are faced with a problem and don't know who to call, they call the fire department.

"We were called to help a chihuahua who had caught its head in a mason jar. They immediately got oxygen into the jar and using dish soap, a female member of our department with little fingers was able to free the dog," Bailey said.

Bailey invites people to stop over on any Monday night at 6 p.m. during fire practice at the station, 808 Old Zelienople Road, and check out what the department is all about. For more information call 724-758-3702.

"Being a fireman takes dedication. It takes 188 hours of training, which is a big commitment. Firemen have to spend time fundraising and still be ready to answer the call," Bailey said.

"You don't hear 'what's in it for me?' from people who volunteer to help others," he said.

Franklin Township Fire Chief Steve Bailey with one of his departments fire engines.
Franklin Township Fire Chief Steve Bailey with one of his departments fire engines.

Bailey, a Franklin Township supervisor and a full-time employee of Medic Rescue Ambulance Service, said he grew up in a home dedicated to public service. His mother, Karen Lash, was an EMT, his father, William "Beetle" Bailey, was a fireman. When Bailey's son, Corey, joined the fire department, he was the third generation to serve the community.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY NETWORK: Franklin Twp. fire department struggling to get volunteers, like many others