CUMBERLAND CO. -- A lack of local fire volunteers is one of the greatest challenges to improving terrorism preparedness. One local company is facing this challenge head on, and says they are winning the battle in recruiting new members.
On September 11th, 2001 as folks fled the Twin Towers and the Pentagon, it was emergency responder who rushed in. Locally in the event of a terrorist attack, it would be our emergency responders who get the call. "Obviously, any incident that happens, us and the police department are going to be the first ones to respond to our local coverage area."
Lieutenant Brian Barnes of the Upper Allen Fire Department says as their responsibilities increase, the number of volunteer ambulance and fire personnel is shrinking all over. "The situation exists more with fire services specifically daylight calls."
Recently, two volunteers at Upper Allen were called to active duty, another issue some local companies are facing. Keeping enough people on hand to help in any emergency is a constant issue, but Barnes says Upper Allen has found a way to keep their numbers up by tapping into a nearby resource. Messiah College has helped them through technology and the internet. "We found the website to be very effective recruitment."
After they sign up, the biggest challenge then is keeping the newer members active. "In response to that, we developed a mentor program. Any new fire fighter that comes in is assigned a senior member as a mentor."
It's a program that Barnes says is working, but they say they could still always use more members.
State Homeland Security Director Keith Martin said the state used to have 300-thousand volunteers, and now that number is down around 70-thousand.
