Photo by Dan Kohler A structure was destroyed in a fire that broke out early Monday afternoon. Members of the Portland Fire Department were alerted to the blaze around 12:30 p.m. on Plank Road. Volunteers from several fire departments provided assistance at the scene. Members of the county’s Fire Investigation Team determined the fire started where the exhaust pipe from a pellet stove met the exterior of the garage. There were no injuries reported at the scene.

A common trend among local volunteer fire departments, such as Fredonia’s or Brocton’s, has been gaining and retaining new members.

Officials from those departments have acknowledged that the problem is more of a widespread, national problem as people are much less eager to volunteer.

At the state level, officials are working to help volunteer fire departments find new members. John Farrell, president of the Firefighters Association of the State of New York, gave a presentation in January directed at giving advice to departments about how they can acquire members.

In the mid 2000s, the number of volunteer firefighters was around 825,000 across the country. But in 2016, the number dipped by nearly 100,000, and while it has recently started climbing back up to nearly 750,000, the dip in numbers has come at an inopportune time.

“The old attitude that recruits will always come through the door is something of the past,” Farrell said. “We all know that. It’s not the way things are today.”

As those numbers have gone down in terms of members, the total calls have skyrocketed. In 2006, the total calls across the country were nearly 25,000 but in 2019, they have increased to almost 35,000. While Farrell said that COVID-19 has contributed to that dramatic rise, it also displays why the need for volunteers is so high.

To counteract this, the outreach of volunteer fire departments has expanded. Farrell said they have been trying to actively recruit more women, people of color, and military veterans, which has seen some levels of success.

Farrell said they are also trying to recruit for every job. While people are needed to be on location fighting fires, Farrell said there are many positions open to anyone who would like to help.

“Not everyone can do every job,” Farrell said. “There is a need for all positions including exterior and interior firefighter, EMS, and fire police.

Then there are other positions that can’t be on the front line but could be on the social side and administrative positions.”

But just as critical as recruitment is retention. For younger potential members, there is the possibility for up to $1,500 per semester of tuition assistance. Failures of retention, according to Farrell, include lack of leadership and fairness or feeling pushed out. To solve this, Farrell said that department leadership is key.

“Leaders must be informed and involved,” Farrell said. “They must show members equal rewards and discipline.”

While no magic bullet solution exists, Farrell and all departments around know the problem exists, and meetings like those held recently could go a long way to helping departments gain and retain new volunteers.