The impact of changing to digital radios and the need for ongoing training was among the items discussed during the regular monthly meeting of the Nevada County volunteer firefighters held Nov. 24, then the talk turned to the need for additional volunteers.
Office of Emergency Management Coordinator Jim Cross said he, like many other volunteers, are getting older and aren’t the best answer when the need arises to answer emergency calls.
Cross and other volunteer fire department chiefs said there are several reasons for the lack of volunteers, including the fact that volunteers pay for gas and other expenses out of their own pockets. Volunteers are also required to go through several hours of annual training in order to remain certified.
Despite the training requirements and cost, there are some benefits, Cross said. One of the most important is that the presence of a volunteer fire department typically lowers insurance rates.
Cross said that most departments have a constant need for volunteers.
Cross said that the Rosston Volunteer Fire Department is “bad short-handed,” and that having people willing to fight fires and answer rescue calls is not their only need.
“We need people to help around the station,” Cross said.
He said potential jobs include maintaining the equipment, handling paperwork and several other tasks. He called volunteering an “equal opportunity” for both men and women.
For information about Rosston’s department, contact cross at 871-2418 or 871-2363.
Eddie Daniel, a member of the Nevada County Fire and Rescue, said the major issue facing that department is the lack of “young folks.” The fire and rescue has some specialized equipment, including the “jaws of life.”
“We have to have someone able to take equipment where it’s needed,” Daniel said.
Those interested in the fire and rescue department should “show up” at the fire station, located next to the pool in Prescott, during a regular meeting. Department members meet the first and third Monday of each month at 7 p.m.
Ricky Robbins of Fair Hills Fire Department said that department needs “as many (volunteers) as we can get.” Robbins said there have been several who joined recently, but that they’ve also had several drop out of active participation for an array of reasons.
Robbins said Fair Hills meets once monthly and that they try to accommodate schedules of the active members. For information about Fair Hills, contact Robbins at 887-6007.
Bodcaw Volunteer Fire Department currently has 12 members and volunteer Phil Herron said that department has “plenty of volunteers and a good age range.” He said the volunteers participate in training and activities.
“We’re very versatile,” he said.
For information about Bodcaw’s department, call 899-7327 or 899-2373.
The Willisville Fire Department is also is good shape, according to Mack Bridges who said he has been involved about four years because he was asked. Despite having 16 volunteers, Bridges said there is always room for new volunteers, especially those already trained or willing to train as firefighters.
Bridges said he believes the amount of training required discourages some potential volunteers.
For information about Willisville’s department, contact any member of call 871-2554.
The Emmet Volunteer Fire Department has about 10 active members, according to Grant Cox. Cox said training is “a big challenge” and cited the continual need for people who can be available during daytime hours.
Cox said the needs of the Emmet department are also diverse and that volunteers who are willing to direct traffic and handle paperwork are always needed.
“There’s any number of jobs,” Cox said. “You don’t have to fight fires to be an asset to the department.”
For information about Emmet’s department, call Emmet City Hall or 703-6866.
For additional information or details about any department not included here, contact Cross.
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The impact of changing to digital radios and the need for ongoing training was among the items discussed during the regular monthly meeting of the Nevada County volunteer firefighters held Nov. 24, then the talk turned to the need for additional volunteers.
Office of Emergency Management Coordinator Jim Cross said he, like many other volunteers, are getting older and aren’t the best answer when the need arises to answer emergency calls.
Cross and other volunteer fire department chiefs said there are several reasons for the lack of volunteers, including the fact that volunteers pay for gas and other expenses out of their own pockets. Volunteers are also required to go through several hours of annual training in order to remain certified.
Despite the training requirements and cost, there are some benefits, Cross said. One of the most important is that the presence of a volunteer fire department typically lowers insurance rates.
Cross said that most departments have a constant need for volunteers.
Cross said that the Rosston Volunteer Fire Department is “bad short-handed,” and that having people willing to fight fires and answer rescue calls is not their only need.
“We need people to help around the station,” Cross said.
He said potential jobs include maintaining the equipment, handling paperwork and several other tasks. He called volunteering an “equal opportunity” for both men and women.
For information about Rosston’s department, contact cross at 871-2418 or 871-2363.
Eddie Daniel, a member of the Nevada County Fire and Rescue, said the major issue facing that department is the lack of “young folks.” The fire and rescue has some specialized equipment, including the “jaws of life.”
“We have to have someone able to take equipment where it’s needed,” Daniel said.
Those interested in the fire and rescue department should “show up” at the fire station, located next to the pool in Prescott, during a regular meeting. Department members meet the first and third Monday of each month at 7 p.m.
Ricky Robbins of Fair Hills Fire Department said that department needs “as many (volunteers) as we can get.” Robbins said there have been several who joined recently, but that they’ve also had several drop out of active participation for an array of reasons.
Robbins said Fair Hills meets once monthly and that they try to accommodate schedules of the active members. For information about Fair Hills, contact Robbins at 887-6007.
Bodcaw Volunteer Fire Department currently has 12 members and volunteer Phil Herron said that department has “plenty of volunteers and a good age range.” He said the volunteers participate in training and activities.
“We’re very versatile,” he said.
For information about Bodcaw’s department, call 899-7327 or 899-2373.
The Willisville Fire Department is also is good shape, according to Mack Bridges who said he has been involved about four years because he was asked. Despite having 16 volunteers, Bridges said there is always room for new volunteers, especially those already trained or willing to train as firefighters.
Bridges said he believes the amount of training required discourages some potential volunteers.
For information about Willisville’s department, contact any member of call 871-2554.
The Emmet Volunteer Fire Department has about 10 active members, according to Grant Cox. Cox said training is “a big challenge” and cited the continual need for people who can be available during daytime hours.
Cox said the needs of the Emmet department are also diverse and that volunteers who are willing to direct traffic and handle paperwork are always needed.
“There’s any number of jobs,” Cox said. “You don’t have to fight fires to be an asset to the department.”
For information about Emmet’s department, call Emmet City Hall or 703-6866.
For additional information or details about any department not included here, contact Cross.
