Volunteer Fire Departments Are Seeking Volunteers

There are 1100 Volunteer Fire Departments in the State of Alabama. And with the number of volunteer firefighters nationwide reaching a low in 2020, many local Volunteer Fire Departments are actively seeking volunteers. While the number of volunteer firefighters has slumped, the call volume nationwide has more than tripled in the last thirty-five years. The County Sheriff's Office is responsible for providing the dispatch services for the Volunteer Fire Departments. With many communities having their first line of defense for many emergencies being provided by their local Volunteer Fire Department.

Volunteer firefighters undergo the same training as professional firefighters. Which is a physically demanding style of training that requires students to be in good physical condition. And the Alabama Fire College offers the required training for free for those interested in becoming a volunteer firefighter. Some of the requirements for becoming a volunteer firefighter include being at least eighteen years of age, providing a physical statement from a licensed physician, and completing the 160 required hours of training within a twenty-four month period.

Local Volunteer Fire Departments offer a range of services that are not always solely directly fire related. While clearing the roads from limbs and tree branches that have blocked the roadways is the responsibility of another state agency, if a person behind the tree is in need of assistance, the volunteer firefighters will clear the pathways as much as needed to help the person in need. Volunteer firefighters will even help rescue cats out of trees. And volunteer firefighters also provide some medical emergency assistance. With some volunteer firefighters

even reporting that they've helped deliver a baby or two.

Not all volunteers with the local Volunteer Fire Department are in the actual volunteer firefighting role as they also seek support volunteers such as drivers, pump operators, mechanics, and

anything that can be of help. For those interested in volunteering for their local Volunteer Fire Department, they can contact their local department directly, or they can call their local County Sheriff's Office to direct them to the right Volunteer Fire Chief..

Luisa Reyes is an attorney in Tuscaloosa with a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Judson, a master's degree in library science, and a law degree from Samford's Cumberland School of Law. She is also a piano instructor and vocalist.