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Residents urge push to recruit younger volunteer firefighters
Summary
Speakers at the select-board meeting urged residents to help recruit younger volunteers after the board heard that the local volunteer fire company has aging membership and about 16 total volunteers, some from out of town.
Residents and board members on the Select Board meeting highlighted concerns about declining volunteer firefighter ranks and urged outreach to younger people.
At the start of the meeting a resident (speaker 4) told the board she had “attended the awards meeting” and urged younger residents to get involved, saying, “If there's any residents in town or anybody that's close by in town that is, interested in becoming a volunteer fireman, I would suggest reaching out to Paul, Ethere, or any other active members.” Speaker 3 added that the active firefighters’ average age was about 45 and that the department has roughly 16 members, “6 of which are out of town” and about 10 local volunteers.
Board members and residents said recruiting is difficult because younger people leave for education or work. One participant warned the town could face higher insurance costs if local coverage declines, noting a recent property purchase that encountered difficulties obtaining fire insurance because of delayed local response. The meeting concluded with requests that the volunteer department and town leaders continue outreach and that meeting video be available to encourage interest.
