Why isn't anyone emphasizing the nationwide volunteer firefighter shortage?

[IHaveRespawned]

We are facing a severe volunteer firefighter shortage nationwide.

In Tennessee alone, 500 out of roughly 700 fire departments are ran by volunteers. In addition, it doesn't account for the volunteer rescue squads, as my state is unique and separates out functionality such as rescue or EMS to separate agencies.

After numerous calls with news agencies in my region and emails to state and local leaders, there does not seem to be any urgency.

Fortunately, I have worked hard to convince state leaders to push a bill making assaults against EMS and firefighters a felony, as we were only one of few states that didn't have these penalties. The bill will be presented in January if all goes well. Sadly, anything else seems to stall with very little support or endorsement.

This is hurting our public safety when our infrastructure cannot even keep up with the mass influx of out of state residents flooding in.

[exitseven]

We do not really have the sense of community that we had a few decades ago. Nobody knows their neighbors and people are too afraid of getting sued to want to volunteer to put out a fire in somebody's house.

[loveslongnails]

Gee, I wonder whose agenda helped spread that, Exit? Hmmm... I wonder.

[exitseven]

@loveslongnails It is mostly from democrats. Seeing somebody like Daniel Perry getting arrested and charged for murder for intervening with an assault on the train has made people think twice before they "get involved".

[loveslongnails]

Oh here you go with your one-offs like a foolish child again. I suppose a thousand and five hundred people being pardoned for violent crimes against their country has nothing to do with people thinking " I can do whatever the fuck I want now... this is Trump's America. You're either on MY side of the belief system or get the fuck out".

There's only ONE "community" your ilk is trying to perpetuate, but you'll deny that too, no matter what the facts say.

[exitseven]

@loveslongnails 1500 patriots were freed by a grateful president.

[loveslongnails]

1500 violent CRIMINALS, tried and convicted in courts of LAW, many by judges appointed by Trump in his first term, were set free by dementia ridden traitor. They were tried and convicted. What would have happened if they actually had gotten a hold of Mike Pence?

You appear to be suffering from the same lack of cognitive reasoning that your idol suffers from. I thought you hit a low bar many times before, but this is new sink hole, even for you.

[exitseven]

@loveslongnailsmany had no trial and many were not even charged with a crime. There were people who were not even in the building that were put in a black hole

[loveslongnails]

Wow... really? No trials and put in black hole? Hmmmm... sounds familiar, doesn't it? When i see your documentation, I'll be concerned. Besides, if they WERE in the building at the time, at the very least, they were trespassing. It was technically closed to the public during that time.

There's still something very wrong with you and how you constantly deny facts that blow up your claims, yet still cling to them. You're the perfect cult member for the Mango Mussolini.

[exitseven]

@loveslongnails Biden's dog was sent there as well. Poor Commander

[loveslongnails]

That great insurance you have from work covers mental disabilities, right? Good. Get some help, Exit.

[exitseven]

@loveslongnails It covers just about everything. I bet it would even cover TDS, You should look into it for yourself.

[loveslongnails]

As I keep trying to tell you, accurately at that, TDS is what you and all of your CULT have.

The rest of the world is quite sane when it comes to evaluating Trump for who and what he is; it's your ilk that has the issue. That's why you created the term "TDS" - to deflect from yourselves, like you all always do. Hence, someone created the term about you all: "EVERY accusation... is a confession".

And it's sooooo true.

[exitseven]

@loveslongnails No, liberals are obsessed with President Trump. They hate him so much they cannot even think straight.

[loveslongnails]

As he should be hated, but liberals are the ONLY ones thinking straight when it comes to Trump. You obviously are not, because you think he's fucking God. You're incapable of any critical analysis of his actions, or his words. You just don't seem to have the capacity to listen to what he says and then question the veracity of it all. You just nod your little head and say "Yes, Master".

[exitseven]

@loveslongnails Liberals like high taxes, open borders, street crime, illegal aliens and communism.

[loveslongnails]

You remain a resident of idiotville every time you speak. Those comments aren't worth addressing. The one about "communism" is particularly funny, since you don't know what that is. You never knew what socialism was either, because every time one of your "capitalist" companies need a bailout, we "socialists" pay for it. But every time they MAKE a huge profit, only capitalist investors make money. So, capitalism for billionaires when they make money, socialism when they fail. Got it.

Oh, and your ilk likes one thing, ONE thing: Fascism. That's it.

[exitseven]

@loveslongnails Fascism is when the secret police are used to imprison a political rival. I was not a fan of that.

[loveslongnails]

That's not all fascism is dude. LOL

[In_Trance]

Instead of canvassing for volunteers why don't you push for permanent full-time positions?

[IHaveRespawned]

Ideally are county-wide fire departments with fire-based ambulance services. Medical calls account for most fire department calls anyways. When a medical emergency is called in, a fire engine and ambulance reapond together. Although, good luck trying to get that established in Tennessee. The best route is approaching with baby steps. Addressing lack of medical first responders in some areas with a combo paid/volunteer approach will be easier.

[msc545]

Perhaps an insurance company should start paying for the training of firefighters.

[loveslongnails]

That will never happen unless they think it will save them money. Public safety is irrelevant to insurance companies and apparently to certain local governments.

[slatyb]

Maybe they should hire professionals.

[IHaveRespawned]

I agree

[slatyb]

If people aren't volunteering, it may be because they are economically stressed, or because the towns they serve have lost population and are generally older. My little town, with population 1020, now has about 800, and they are considerably older. Fighting fires is physically demanding, beyond most 60-year-olds, and there aren't enough 20-50 year old guys left to staff the VFD. But neither can they afford to hire enough professionals; if they want to maintain the same response time they would need maybe four at a minimum of say $60K/year + benefits, so say $90K total, or a total of $360K / 800 residents, or $450 per person per year or $75/month for a couple. It's not a rich town. That can be significant for a couple living on Social Security. Of course without fire protection homeowner's insurance will go up.

[Chazmatazz269]

Pay them. Problem solved.

[Hagar88]

Not enough money involved in volunteering.