Rural communities in Vermont and across the country face a number of challenges. One of them, which does not get a lot of attention, is the enormously important role that volunteer fire departments play in their communities and the struggles many of them currently have in retaining their membership and attracting new recruits.

When we make an emergency 911 call, whether it is a fire or a medical need, we expect to hear a voice on the other end of the line, and expect that help will be on the way as soon as possible. In Vermont, fire departments and EMS agencies are struggling to make that happen. As a result of the pandemic and a rapidly changing economy, many volunteer departments are very short staffed and are finding it increasingly difficult to provide the services their communities require.

Our firefighters and EMS first responders – both volunteer and paid – put their lives on the line to protect our communities. But they are not getting the proper support and resources they need and deserve. It’s time for that to change. It’s time for us to do some real thinking as to how we can address the very serious problems they face.