I grew up in the fire station, following my father every time a run came in and to each drill and work detail. The volunteer fire stations were an essential part of the fabric of the community.
When he retired and moved, my father joined another department in a much smaller town where the fire department wasn’t only responsible for responding to emergencies and service calls but also provided annual entertainment, including parades, a carnival, tractor pulls and Easter egg hunts.
Today, many departments are strapped for resources, most importantly, members. These people sign up to help their community at any given moment. They train. They complete the work details. They attend community events and perform other duties that take up so much time. Unfortunately, in many of these communities, when the loud siren atop the fire station sounds for an emergency these days, their residents never see a car with a firefighter driving to the station nor a bay door opening and a rig pulling out.
While watching a short video about a nearly vacant mall in Peru, IL, several of the transitions sounded similar to what we hear at Firehouse, and it hit home that some volunteer fire stations and departments have followed in the same path as shopping malls.
No online option
Joining their local volunteer fire department was a rite of passage for many teens in their community, particularly the smaller ones. The station became a hangout after school and at night ahead of training. Now, stations that were built in the 1940s–1980s might have hooks or lockers to hang 50 sets of turnout gear but only have one or two dozen sets of gear. Some apparatus bays aren’t used fully, just like the retail spaces in many malls, as the capability to turn out six rigs for a fire is down to a pumper and truck or even just one rig, with the other bays serving as storage.
Why have malls closed? Rent is too high, people prefer to shop online, and some folks don’t have the time to jump in the car, park, walk into the mall and stand in line to check out. If an online order doesn’t fit, they return it when it’s convenient for them.
Yes, things changed somewhat for the malls. Rents were dropped, pop-up events were born, and the shopping centers provided more entertainment opportunities. Meanwhile, volunteer fire departments host recruitment drives or realign responder requirements, only to find short-term gains. However—and, again, like what’s occurred with malls—the serious decline in membership continues because people don’t have the time—to commit to training and work details and to go on runs. Many departments are asking for money to help pay stipends.
The big difference between fire departments and malls is simple. Residents can’t go online, purchase a $200 annual membership and order up two pumpers, three tankers, an ambulance and a chief to respond as their home burns. However, if a fire department asks for $150 more in annual revenue from each taxpayer for service, they balk. If something that they bought at an online retailer isn’t delivered in the allotted time window, people get upset, go online and complain, with hopes for a freebie down the road. If the fire department doesn’t show up or it responds with minimal resources, there might be some noise.
Long-term view
Malls were essential for everyday life 20 years ago, but now, most are nothing but memories inside of a vacant or nearly vacant building. Volunteer fire departments must heed the lessons and plan for the future. Fire chiefs must be transparent with their community. Staying quiet or downplaying the volunteer crisis, whether it’s funding or personnel, doesn’t help. Today’s chiefs are overwhelmed planning for next weekend and next month, but the sit-down discussions must be had about two, five or 10 years out. What are you planning today for that time?
Many reminisce about the good old days of shopping malls but then pick up their phone to buy their products. I’ve heard many volunteers talk about how it was 15 years ago, only for the siren to sound an hour later and no one turns out.
