HAMBDEN TOWNSHIP -- The Hambden Volunteer Fire Department is one of a dozen fire departments that responded to the Holden Arboretum fire Monday night.
Of those, at least half the responding departments were made up of volunteers.
These departments face their own challenges in a tough economy.
Volunteer Fire Departments save communities money, but with the economy forcing many people to take an extra paying job or work longer hours, it's becoming more difficult to find people to volunteer.
"Used to be in the old days that employees would let you leave your job and answer a call," says Chief Scott Hildenbrand. "Those days are pretty much gone. Employers just can't let you leave like that."
Hildenbrand has been a volunteer with Hambden for 30 years.
The firefighters there are paid $5 for each call they respond to. It's money that used to pay for the members' gas, but barely covers that cost anymore.
The 45 members at Hambden come from all walks of life; many are retired career firefighters or currently work for other city departments.
No matter what their background, they go through the rigorous 265 hours of training that career firemen do.
They're responding to more calls in the rural area, whether it be for mutual aid, or local fire or paramedic needs.
"You're there to help your neighbors and that's what it's all about," Hildenbrand said.
The Hambden VFD relied on fundraisers and donations to survive, as well as a tax levy that comes up for vote every five years.
Property taxes, however, are down.
Hildenbrand says if the township didn't have volunteers, and had to pay for a full-time department, it would cost roughly four times what the tax levies do.
Volunteer firefighters don't do the job for the pay.
They do it because the town is their home and they want to protect their neighbors.
"It's a great feeling if you can save someone's life or property," Hildenbrand said. "Just that thank you at the end of the day is much more valuable than the $5."
WKYC-TV
You Might Be Interested In