VIDEO: Across south-central Pennsylvania, volunteer fire departments are facing unprecedented challenges as fewer people are able to give the time needed to keep them running.
From closures to mergers to the addition of paid staff, communities are adjusting, and the trend is part of a nationwide shift.
In West Manchester Township, the Lincolnway Volunteer Fire Company is adding part-time career firefighters for the first time in its history. Lieutenant Chad Deardorff says the move isn’t about a lack of dedication among volunteers, but about the reality of modern life.
“People have to make a living, and they have to prioritize their family first, and we understand that,” Deardorff said. “It’s a fine balance that we have to find, and it’s just not there.”
The strain on volunteer departments is not unique to Pennsylvania. Across the country, most volunteer fire departments exist in small jurisdictions without the tax base to support career firefighters.
WPMT-TV FOX 43 York