SNOW HILL – “It’s almost like the volunteer fireman is becoming an endangered species.”
As National Fire Prevention Week begins Sunday, Worcester County Commissioner Merrill Lockfaw took the opportunity this week to bring attention to the dwindling number of volunteers supporting the fire service. All of the county’s 10 volunteer fire companies are struggling to hang on to their members.
“Recruitment is one thing, retaining them beyond three to five years is a whole other avenue,” Worcester County Fire Marshal Jeff McMahon said.
The Worcester County Commissioners issued a proclamation Tuesday in recognition of National Fire Prevention Week Oct. 9-15. Along with the “Don’t Wait, Check the Date” smoke detector message being pushed, the commissioners shared concerns about the decline in volunteer firefighters.
“Each fire department is now suffering from a lack of membership because of the amount of time it takes,” Lockfaw said.
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15 comments:
Thats because you treat them like crap. Can't fix what you do not acknowledge.
See not just Salisbury
The reason why these VFD's have NO applicants is because of the time required in training. NOBODY is going to dedicate their WHOLE life and off time to sitting in fire training classes forever just because a slew of zealots who have no life and dreamed this bulls#&*t up have
made fire service SO unattractive that people don't want to fool with it.
I was a volunteer fireman for 20 yrs. and a driver who operated the trucks and pumpers diligently and was faithful to the cause. When I got home from work the last thing I wanted to do was go to a class taught by someone who was LESS qualified than myself. I refused to listen to a load of patent repetitive things I already knew.
In another ten years, if they don't ease this nonsense, a VOLUNTEER FIREMAN will be a thing of the past and the individual County's will
have to pay people to do this job. This is another thing that you the taxpayer will have to shoulder. I felt like this is part of a not so grand plan to accomplish the above so then these zealots can call themselves "Career Men", ha, ha!!!!! Bob Aswell..Past member of CFD Inc.
Totally agree. I considered joining a few times but every time my research indicated they are treated like crap.
Salisbury's FD volunteers actually get a retirement check after X number of years of service, and that even isn't enough to bring out enough members.
I live in dorchester md the guys out here are a bunch of A..W...S the good ole boys look dowm on outsiders funny thing is the city i lived in would handle more calls im a week.than they do in a year i guess i would be jealous too,
Smyrna,De.has a three year wait list to get in.
Stuck up! Somebody made a mistake in their past and they're considered no good. Christ it's not a job. Their willing to die and give their time and can't over a bull crap charge in the past.
too many cliques.
Anonymous said...
See not just Salisbury
October 8, 2016 at 11:46 AM
Retaining volunteers is one thing, running them off is another. Give me a break you dumb moron.
Anonymous Bob Aswell... Retired volunteer said...
The reason why these VFD's have NO applicants is because of the time required in training. NOBODY is going to dedicate their WHOLE life and off time to sitting in fire training classes forever just because a slew of zealots who have no life and dreamed this bulls#&*t up have
made fire service SO unattractive that people don't want to fool with it.
I was a volunteer fireman for 20 yrs. and a driver who operated the trucks and pumpers diligently and was faithful to the cause. When I got home from work the last thing I wanted to do was go to a class taught by someone who was LESS qualified than myself. I refused to listen to a load of patent repetitive things I already knew.
In another ten years, if they don't ease this nonsense, a VOLUNTEER FIREMAN will be a thing of the past and the individual County's will
have to pay people to do this job. This is another thing that you the taxpayer will have to shoulder. I felt like this is part of a not so grand plan to accomplish the above so then these zealots can call themselves "Career Men", ha, ha!!!!! Bob Aswell..Past member of CFD Inc.
October 8, 2016 at 12:13 PM
You ae 100% correct. Paid firemen with no experience fighting fires comes to mind.
Rick Hoppes
David See
Jay Jester
People like that have no experience fighting fire, but they come up with all the stupid training ideas. All 3 of these guys just stand around like lawn ornaments during a real fire. Hoppes was the laziest man on the shift and still is today. Jay Jester always comes up with ideas for training, but you can't get him to go into a burn building. All 3 of those guys are lazy and scared of fire. They might have the certificates, but they don't have the experience.
Anonymous said...
Salisbury's FD volunteers actually get a retirement check after X number of years of service, and that even isn't enough to bring out enough members.
October 8, 2016 at 1:06 PM
It's not even a retirement check. It's a Lenght of Service award and it is very, very minimal.
Anonymous said...
Thats because you treat them like crap. Can't fix what you do not acknowledge.
October 8, 2016 at 11:39 AM
If you are referring to Rick Hoppes, Jake Day and the City Council you are absolutely correct.
Anonymous said...
I live in dorchester md the guys out here are a bunch of A..W...S the good ole boys look dowm on outsiders funny thing is the city i lived in would handle more calls im a week.than they do in a year i guess i would be jealous too,
October 8, 2016 at 1:46 PM
WTF did you just say?
Anonymous said...
Smyrna,De.has a three year wait list to get in.
October 8, 2016 at 1:54 PM
BAMMM!! Great job guys. Don't tell Rick Hoppes or Jake Day.
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