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On numbers alone, a consolidation of volunteer companies makes sense. Tonight, the Fredonia Village Board will hold a public hearing on the topic at 6 p.m. and could offer final approval of the merger later in the evening.
With four volunteer companies, plus the full-time paid unit, "We had five sets of bylaws, five presidents, five secretaries, five treasurers. It worked back in the day but it got to be very confusing. ... It got to be even more confusing in terms of response," said Julius Leone, who heads up the volunteers, during a Village Board meeting earlier this month.
Mayor Douglas Essek, who has a long association with the Fredonia Fire Department, said to Leone, "I applaud you, and your committee, and the department for making this decision."
While Leone noted it was a tough decision for members, there is a lot of sense to it. Volunteer numbers are down throughout the nation.
Those who do sign up for this community endeavor are extremely dedicated. They answer the calls at all hours and in any weather condition.
They all deserve our thanks.