Shortage Of Volunteer Firefighters Along Shore

SALISBURY, Md., - We rely on fire departments to respond to emergencies 24/7. But fewer people are signing up to volunteer, causing a nationwide shortage. Across America, volunteer fire departments are facing a shortage of volunteers. Sadly many departments along the shore are feeling the pinch as well.

Assistant Lieutenant Rondell Redding of Princess Anne Fire department says, "The past years that I've been here we've lost a good amount of them", "If they're already out of a job, its harder to be just a volunteer nowadays", he continues.

Now volunteer fire departments like the one in Princess Anne are left understaffed and sometimes unattended.

"We're volunteers, when we're at work there's nobody else here to help us out. So that's pretty much the downside to it", says Redding.

One of the worries of this shortage is the obvious, will there be an issue if you have a fire? However Princess Anne says right now, the shortage is not effecting fire calls. However, the decrease is sparking major recruiting efforts.

Its a job that doesn't pay in the traditional sense. However, volunteers say that the constant adrenaline rush, and giving back to the community is more than enough.

Assistant Lieutenant Rondell Redding says this could be you. All you need to do is to take that first step, and fill out an application.

"Come do it, its fun, its enjoyment just like a while ago we just got off a fire call a while ago. The adrenaline rush its nothing like a adrenaline rush. And like I said its volunteer, just come out and do it", says Redding.

Legislation is also helping in the recruiting process. It offers tax credits to new volunteers and prohibits employers from punishing volunteers for taking time off to respond to emergencies.