Volunteer shortage an elevated concern as fire season approaches in Kansas
WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - Kansas’ approach to fire season comes with a reminder that firefighters throughout the state are volunteers looking to serve their communities. In smaller, rural counties, local departments say there’s a major shortage of these volunteers.
Those who do step into the volunteer firefighter roles say their service is about making a difference in the communities they call home.
“It’s hard to get people and so it’s just something I’ve been able to do and have a lot of pride in,” said Jack Kistler, a volunteer firefighter for the Udall Fire Department in Cowley County.
Preparing for fire season is a challenge, especially for small communities that run solely on volunteering and are seeing a significant drop in volunteers.
“There’s definitely a shortage across Kansas and across all the other states too. So that’s been a real concern across the county with volunteer firefighters and just less volunteerism happening today than what we used to have,” said Cowley County Fire District IV Assistant Chief Mitch Kratochvil.
Firefighters in Udall say there’s always a need for volunteers, especially in small communities like theirs. They say there are many ways for people to help their community through the fire department, from fighting fires to working mechanics on the department’s trucks.
“Some people just don’t like to run towards things that people are running from, and it’s understandable, but we’ll pick one or two new [volunteers] a year, usually. We try to,” Cowley County Fire District IV Chief Randy Hoffman said.
While Udall is among small departments that have managed to work through the shortage, volunteers in the county say they need help.
“I’ve always liked to be involved in the community and this is the best way to do it because we are shorthanded on our firemen, and ever since I’ve been in, it’s hard to get people,” Kistler said.
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