Volunteer Firefighters Feeling the Pinch

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Verona, Va.
Posted: 5:49 PM Jul 22, 2008
Last Updated: 4:06 PM Jul 23, 2008
Reporter: Keith Jones
Email Address: kjones@whsv.com

13 comments

Volunteer Fire Department Economic Impact

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Dry and hot temperatures around the Valley had volunteer fire and rescue squads working around the clock and they're not getting paid.

Under tough economic times, some stations are struggling to survive. About 30 volunteer squads serve Augusta County and only a few have active salaried employees.

Firefighters say fire has to burn, so there's no way they can afford to cut back.

According to Lt. Mindy Craun, as of January 1, there were more than a 1,000 volunteers serving the county. That group is made up of support members, rescue-only EMS, and fire personnel.

Jackie Huffman of the Verona Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad says, if costs continue to rise, some stations may go under.

"Community help. That's a big issue. Trying to get the funding from the community and stuff. We help them, but they don't want to come in and help us. The biggest pressure right now obviously are gas prices, being able to get to the calls and stuff."

Huffman says every volunteer has a full-time job on top of working at a firefighter.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Fired up Location: Fishersville on Jul 24, 2008 at 05:06 PM
Paid staffing is not always the answer. Volunteers save localities millions of dollars by not having to provide that service. Yes, it may decrease response times, but it doesn't help aleviate the money issues which this report was about in the first place. With the economy in the shape it's in, it is difficult for some communities to support their local agencies the way the really wish the could do. I have read the comments on here and many slight this department for not having someone to provide a better interview, however if you notice volunteerism is down. As stated before, not everyone can provide extra time to serve as a volunteer and not all volunteers are blessed with the gift of gab on camera. So back to the original point of the whole story, voluteerism is down, monetary donations are down, gas prices are up, utility bills are increasing and all volunteer agencies could use more help.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Harrisonburg on Jul 24, 2008 at 04:04 PM
First off, it's the volunteer's job to be there for the community. If people at the fire department want to bad mouth what help that they already get from the community (such as money and volunteers) they might as well kiss that good bye. They need to think positive. It would really help if paid career staff was in place at ALL stations, it would help when the volunteers couldn't get to the fire department and help with the response time! Also, people want to have a life outside of their job and the fire department, so they can't expect people to be there 24-7 unless there are paid career staff there! Thank you! Also, for Ms. Huffman, when you are being interviewed, look straight and not side to side and don't keep saying "stuff", it doesn't sound well or very professional at all. Just for future reference.

Posted by: Sue on Jul 24, 2008 at 03:25 PM
Actually Past Chief I have had a camera in my face doing an interview on many occassions and on spur of the moment at that. I think that you need to have a plan in place for this type of situation so when it arises then anyone within the company is prepared on what to say. You have the opportunity to ask what type of questions you will be dealing with, the reporter does not shove a camera in your face on a moments notice and tell you to speak. Maybe your company should think about having a delegated individual to do your interviews and if this person is not available then he/she will have a document prepared for other members to go by. I am in no way putting Ms. Huffman down, if you dont have the experience and training to speak in public then yes more then likely your words are not going to come out right. Just a thought for your company to think about. Oh and by the way Past Chief I am a volunteer!!!

Posted by: Past Chief Location: Verona on Jul 24, 2008 at 01:43 PM
Has anyone ever had to interview with a TV camera in your face? The pressure can be overwhelming and sometimes the words you say are not what you mean. Cut Ms. Huffman some slack! Yes the comment was not the right thing to say, however when you're contacted to do an interview without preparation sometimes you do say the wrong things. Everyone knows volunteers give freely of there time and money, however until you put yourself into their shoes you will never understand the pressures of being a volunteer. Not only do we have to meet state and local training requirements, we have to ensure the volunteer agency's bills are paid. When volunteerism is decreasing nationally, it puts more strain on current members to answer calls and raise funds too. I think the intention was to stress the fact the we need more members period. Please think about helping that way, not just monetarily.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Between churchville and Swoope on Jul 23, 2008 at 10:29 PM
I live in Augusta County and am a tax payer. My tax dollars go to all kind of things in the county, one being to pay the career staff in some of the volunteer station. I want to know how come not all station have them. Especially the station in my town. Shouldn’t my tax dollars go out to help me when needed and to count on someone being there? I listen to a scanner and I hear all the no responses in my area. If something happens to me during the day I don’t want to wait on the next due to get there. If it’s so hard for the volunteers why doesn’t the county take over and put career staff in. I remember when a volunteers meant something nowadays it's a title so someone can look important. I saw this the other day to men one older one younger in wal-mart both with their fire shirts pagers and walkies on. The pager goes off for a call the both just stand there talking. One says you going to go the other no just an ems call Yeah I got to go eat see you later. I donate money to that co. Think

Posted by: anonymous Location: verona on Jul 23, 2008 at 09:02 PM
as a volunteer firefigher i feel that the community could help out more not only with funds but with manpower. a volunteer department depends on fundraisers to bring in there money but when the membership isn't like it used to be back in the good ol' days you can't out on a sucessful function without the help. this is most likely why verona did not have a carnival this year.alot of people look forward to that but without the help from the community they can not perform such functions!

Posted by: Ms. Huffman Location: VERONA on Jul 23, 2008 at 07:56 PM
I totally agree with you Sue from Verona, next time we should get a better representive HOWEVER if the community would show more support and help out the community not just by fundings but by membership perhaps a spur of the moment interview wouldn't sound so bad...We greatly appreciate what fundings we get from the community however the demands for the fire company are growing higher and higher every year and the membership is getting smaller and smaller every year...once again THANK YOU to everyone that does support the fire company!!!!!

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Craigsville on Jul 23, 2008 at 06:04 PM
Treat the volunteers like family and you get more done. I bet if you wanted something at the store, you could find the money for that and not feel the PINCH!!

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Churchville on Jul 23, 2008 at 05:54 PM
Every Vol. Agencies depends on the community for their support.I know in churchville I am proud of Churchville Fire and Rescue squad. and as for support we are very Thankful. Every agencies has personal issues, but we try to solve all problems and help the community as we can, To make the best out of all our donated dollar. We are thankful to serve our community. With all do respect people need to leave political issues inside there companys and not vent them.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 23, 2008 at 01:21 PM
I agree with anonymous, these volunteer agencies need to treat all of the volunteers as equals. Everyone is there for the same reason but they are not treated the same. It is all based on who you are, that isnt the way that people want to be treated especially when they are taking time out of their own busy schedules to risk their lives for others and they are critized behind their backs by their fellow volunteers. This is the problem at Verona Volunteer Fire and Rescue.

Posted by: Sue Location: Verona on Jul 23, 2008 at 09:28 AM
I think next time Verona Volunteer Fire and Rescue needs to get a better representative to do their interviews. If you want community support for your fire department then dont put your community down. I have given my monetary support to the fire department but obviously by the way Ms. Huffman is speaking, my donation isnt appreciated because it is not enough. I want to take this opportunity to thank all of the other volunteer fire/rescue personnel for all that they do.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 23, 2008 at 06:52 AM
If some of the companies treated their volunteers better, they would have more people to help. No one wants to volunteer their time and then have a dictator ordering their lives around and telling them when they will work and not giving them any consideration when scheduling volunteers to work.

Posted by: Jackie Location: Verona on Jul 22, 2008 at 07:45 PM
Ok this didn't come out the way I thought it would...In my comment, I was not refering to the funding from the community, more so the volunteers to help out...not the fundings however that would be great if more area business' would help out the people that help them out. I just wanted to clear that up! We are greatly appreciative of the support we get from our community!

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