It goes without saying that volunteer firefighters are some of the most selfless people in the community.
And though it is their responsibility to scoff at the face of danger, their selflessness extends beyond fighting fires.
Volunteer firefighters incur personal costs associated with volunteering, such as wear and tear on their vehicle, the cost of gas and the factor that some employers require volunteer firefighters to take personal or vacation time when they are forced to respond to fires during work time.
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Volunteer firefighters incur personal costs associated with volunteering, such as wear and tear on their vehicle, the cost of gas and the factor that some employers require volunteer firefighters to take personal or vacation time when they are forced to respond to fires during work time.
P-J file photo
However, the women and men who make up this community's volunteer fire departments continue their dedication to ensuring the community they serve is safe, regardless of the personal expenses associated with it.
However, local volunteer fire departments are finding ways to give back for the expenses volunteer firefighters are forced to incur. Much like how the military offers a G.I. bill to veterans who have served, local volunteer fire departments will help to further their fire fighters education.
"On the volunteer side, gas is $4 a gallon and if the volunteers are active, that adds up very quickly," said Julius Leone, director of emergency services for Chautauqua County. "Many times, it requires paying a baby-sitter when they're forced to respond to emergencies. That cost can add up, and that doesn't even take into account the sort of opportunity costs that are incurred while volunteer firefighters are out at a call. It's all a lot more than just putting out fires."
Leone went on to say that even when volunteer firefighters are not responding to a call, they are often finding ways to raise funds for their department.
"Not only are you fighting fires, but you're also raising money for your department," said Leone. "A lot of times during Thanksgiving, departments will do something called a turkey party. During Easter departments will have ham parties. Some departments still do bingo - some departments still have a carnival, such as Frewsburg. It's a commitment that goes all 365 days of the year."
However, to help recruit new firefighters or to give back to already dedicated firefighters, all volunteer fire departments currently in Chautauqua County will help volunteers further their education or trade in some way.
"There is a county program that all of the volunteer fire departments participate in," said Leone. "We received a SAFER grant, which is a federal grant, designed to promote retention and recruitment. We received $398,000 last year as a part of a four-year grant. If our new recruits or already dedicated volunteer firefighters want to further their education or their current position at work, we will help them attain that. We will send firefighters to either JCC or a technical school to help them further their education or gain extra skills that can help them in employment. ... We're using our money to purchase equipment and keep our firefighters safe, but we are working hard to get grants such as the SAFER grant to help give back to those who fight to keep us safe."
In order to be eligible for a volunteer fire department to pay for an education, those who participate in the program must actively participate when needed.
"It's a great way to recruit," said Leone. "All we ask is that they stay active while they are receiving their education. We have a number of students in the program right now. It seems to be successful and we hope that we can attract more fire fighters through the program. However, if there is someone who is currently a firefighter and they want to better themselves, we'll obviously help them do that as well."
Leone believes that volunteer fire departments need to continually reach out to the communities that they serve.
"We're at a time in our history with our volunteer firefighters where we really need to reach out a little bit more to our community to attract people," said Leone. "People need to know that becoming a volunteer fire fighter brings a tremendous amount of satisfaction with it knowing that you are truly saving lives. You don't find too many organizations like a fire department where you have 40-, 50-, and 60-year members. No matter how long you've been here, there's always a job for you. Yes, our 70-year-olds are not holding a hose, but they're still helping. It's a great way to serve your community and when you know you've helped save a life, there's no greater feeling than that."