Who are the volunteer firefighters in your community and how can you join the fight and volunteer?

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), volunteers make up more than 80% of the firefighters in the United States. Reports from 2022 indicated that there are 1,041,200 firefighters across the country, and nearly 677,000 of them are volunteers. Unfortunately, the NFPA also reports that the number of volunteers decreased 6% from the previous year and 15% since 1984. Despite the decrease in volunteers, the call volume has increased by nearly 300%, leaving volunteer fire departments in need of additional volunteers.

This monthly column written by Jane Perkins, Fire Safety Specialist for the Rhode Island Southern Firefighter League and Past Capt. of the watch hill Fire Department.

Please click the link below or stop by the fire house and apply today.

As always if you have any fire safety concerns please email our Fire Marshal cmoore@rcfd.org