Community firefighting is starting to feel the heat regarding a lack of volunteers coming through the ranks, as noted in recent conversations and meetings.

On June 2, Chautauqua County Executive Vince Horrigan outright discussed too many governments and fire departments in this county of 129,000 people as part of a conversation with the Chamber of Commerce.

“We have 42 fire departments,” he said. “They all have to find their own volunteers. We have to come together to form districts.”

Adding urgency to his statement came five days later in Mayville when village Mayor Martin J. Bova Jr. came forward at the forum regarding the county’s efforts to win $20 million from the state for government efficiency. Bova said the village department is looking at teaming with those from Dewittville and Hartfield.

Brocton and Portland also continue to eye a merger, while John Griffith, county battalion coordinator, said recruitment and retention of volunteers poses a challenge for local fire departments while asking for a comprehensive study on delivery for fire services.

That is a lot to be put on the table within a matter of less than a week. But it is a major reality.

Chautauqua County began a flycar system for a quicker emergency response. It is taxpayer funded and will ultimately lead to fewer volunteers helping their local departments due to the fact that people are being paid to do something that once was handled by volunteers. That always causes a rift.

Fire departments, for a while, have been sacred cows in the consolidation discussions. As the county population continues to decrease, especially in Dunkirk-Fredonia, that can no longer be the case.