Firefighter Shortage!

The ugly truth of Volunteer Fire Departments closing their doors leaving small towns without any support.

In more than 450 Nebraska communities, volunteer firefighters and medical teams stand by, ready and willing to protect citizens. In the state, 90% of fire fighters are volunteers. But volunteers are harder to come by each passing year. What is going to happen to the small rural communities if the spirit of service dies with the next generation?

Nebraska Public Media explores the alarming situation “Working Fires: Volunteer Fire Departments in Crisis.

The new television documentary reveals that flames, smoke and the risk of injury aren’t the only dangers facing local first responders. Recruiting and retaining volunteers, aging equipment, tight budgets and the shocking increase in extreme weather create a crisis: fewer responders and increasing demand.

Across Nebraska, in communities like Bristow, Gering, Madison, Merriman and Mullen, local volunteer fire departments face an uncertain future.

Nebraska Public Media; 10/26/23

Some of the challenges to keeping new recruits include the expense of training, proximity to work, flexibility of employers and the greuling work itself. This is a problem not just in Nebraska, but throughout rural America.