https://development.triblive.com/local/regional/volunteer-drought-can-mergers-save-fire-departments/
Volunteer drought: Can mergers save fire departments?
TribLive
Allegheny Valley Volunteer Fire Company firefighters Ethan Parker, left, and Joshua Wilford, right, keep an eye on pressure gauges as they pump water from their tanker truck to Blawnox’s ladder truck on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024 during a training exercise between the two companies at Allegheny Valley Volunteer Fire Company in Harmar.
Since 1970, fire departments in Pennsylvania have seen a 90% decrease in volunteer firefighters. There are roughly 38,000 volunteer firefighters in the state today.
Time constraints, lack of shift work opportunities and busier social schedules are making it even more difficult to fill the volunteer ranks.
As fire companies struggle, many are facing a tough decision: Merge and consolidate, or risk closure.
Here to tell us about the complex situations within this increasingly urgent crisis is Triblive reporter Haley Daugherty.
This is From the Newsroom.
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