Retention a challenge for volunteer departments

It's a bemoaned fact at many fire departments across the United States — the number of volunteers is shrinking and turnover is high.

That makes recruitment and retention the No. 1 challenge for volunteer fire departments, including those in Bigfork and Ferndale, which have also noticed this trend in their departments.

Potential reasons for the fact are numerous — the economy, a change in generational attitudes, lack of time, personality conflicts — but the result is still the same: fire departments struggle to pull in and keep volunteers. For communities that rely on volunteers to provide emergency services, this can pose a concern.

The Bigfork Volunteer Fire Department has seen a change in the guard. It used to have a range of experience among its members, but today Chief Wayne Loeffler said he only has four volunteers who have more than 10 years of experience. The vast majority have five years or less.

Loeffler said common reasons for leaving have included retiring, moving out of the district or a conflict with the person's job.

"I think the economy is a lot of it," Loeffler said. "It's a time commitment."

The perfect number of volunteers for Bigfork is hard to peg.

"My ideal is more than we have," Loeffler said.

In the past 10 years, the Bigfork force was largest prior to fiscal year 2006, when it hit its low point. The following years were marked by turnover. In fiscal years 2007 and 2008, 10 and 15 members respectively were lost and 12 and 14 were gained.

Then-Chief Chuck Harris was actively recruiting members in March 2008, telling the Bigfork Eagle that the department had "lost quite a few" people and found it "tough" to find new ones. Harris retired at the end of January 2009 after serving in that position for two years. Assistant Fire Chief Nat O'Farrell acted as interim chief until Loeffler took over in March 2009.

Prior to the adoption of the Bigfork Ambulance this summer, Bigfork was sitting at about two dozen members. With more responsibility and assets, Bigfork now has a total of 38 people on its roster. That means the department has two companies; departments can have up to 28 people in a company before having to add another company.

The Ferndale Fire Department has seen the phenomenon in a slightly different way. It still has people with experience levels across the board — some new recruits but also people with 10, 15 and 20 years of experience. But, it also struggles with turnover, mostly do to economic reasons, Chief Ken Sharr said.

Young families move in, but if they want to buy a home, they end up having to move to other parts of the Valley, he said. The department has also seen volunteers move on to become paid firefighters in other departments, which is actually something they encourage, Sharr said.

The department currently has 15 volunteers. Anything over 20 would probably be too much, Sharr said. Bigfork has a larger coverage area and more stations, whereas Ferndale only has one.

"We are concerned. We're all aging," Sharr said. "It's getting more and more difficult. As the area becomes more affluent, we get people who can't stay in the community and volunteer."

Sharr said he has attended the National Fire Academy and that this is a trend seen across the nation.

"Retention and recruitment we're working on. That's the key," he said.

The other challenge is that many of the people who do volunteer don't work in the area, so are only available for calls during limited hours.

"We're a busier people. It's no longer the butcher, baker and the barber stopping what they're doing and running to the station," he said. "It's not as it used to be."

Both local departments continue to seek volunteers.

Volunteers at both departments have to be at least 18 years old. All are required to go through criminal background checks. It's also preferred that they live within the boundaries of the respective district.

With both departments, new recruits go through a six-month probation period. Both have requirements for training and attending business meetings as well as the percentage of calls volunteers are expected to respond to.

"We want them to be involved in different activities," Loeffler said. "Now that we're integrated with the ambulance there's also a little more crossover training to do."

The Bigfork department has also recently started a cadet program to train and increase interest in those under 18.

"It's a great organization to give back to the community," Loeffler said. "We have a great bond. It's a big family. It's just a neat atmosphere."

Loeffler said there's a role for people of all different interests and skills.

"Bottomline, if you get in, we'll find you somewhere you can help out," he said.

For more information about volunteering, call the Bigfork department at 837-4590 or the Ferndale department at 837-6900.