Fire officials from Onondaga County and across the state say there’s an alarming shortage of volunteers to adequately staff fire departments. New statistics show volunteers make up 90% of firefighters, and their levels are at the lowest in 40 years.
The New York State Association of Fire Chiefs is calling for passage of a state law that would allow communities to provide nominal compensation for on-duty volunteers in firehouses.
Past District Chief of the Northwest Fire District in Baldwinsville Tony McIntyre said fire departments need the option of asking their municipalities for additional funds.
“I'm going to use an arbitrary number: Say $100,000 on top of your budget. That $100,000 goes towards reasonable compensation,” explained McIntyre. “The taxpayers might be a little upset because we're raising that, right? But if that doesn't work, then I got to go to the same taxpayer and say I need $2 million to staff a full-time, career-based fire department.”
Fire officials contend it’s gotten more difficult to find volunteers who have the time to spare for the increasingly rigorous training requirements, let alone to respond to calls.
Cicero Fire Chief Jim Perrin noted he has a strong department of 50 active members who answer 900 calls per year. But having a compensation program could encourage volunteers to stay on-site overnights, when few volunteers are able or willing to respond from home.
“I could set up in-house duty crews, similar to what we're doing here in East Syracuse, and give them some money to help pay for maybe a cable bill, or pay for a phone bill, or put money aside for a vacation,” said Perrin. “Something where they don't have to work that second job to achieve those, and now they're working for the fire department and they're providing service to the community. That's what we're looking to do.”
Fire officials stressed they’re not seeking fully-paid fire fighters, just enough compensation to keep departments intact.
Last year, an unprecedented 6 volunteer fire departments shut their doors across the state due to inadequate staffing.
