Challenging Times for Volunteer Organizations

 These are very challenging times for volunteer organizations. As of this time one year ago, the rate of volunteerism in the United States had declined to its lowest level in 30 years. There are any number of factors that have contributed to the decline such as the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing work demands, financial uncertainty, political divisiveness and declining trust in institutions. This pull back in volunteering is being suffered by organizations of all types, and the results of that withdrawal at the volunteer organizational level is that it hampers their ability to render the support and assistance to people who rely on their services. Go on the internet and search “volunteer opportunities” for your town, city or county, and you will find a broad spectrum of volunteer groups that would welcome whatever time and effort you might be able to devote to them. That’s one of the basic tenets of volunteerism, that you determine your level of commitment, and no matter to whatever extent that is, you will be welcomed by equal measures of gratitude and appreciation as any other volunteer.

 In my life, my primary volunteer involvement has been as a volunteer firefighter. I belonged to a volunteer department in northern Virginia for 20 years, and I recently became a member of Turkey Creek Fire & Rescue in Sneads Ferry. Membership in volunteer fire departments has been on a steady decline since the 1980, which is attributable to some of the reasons for the decline in volunteers in general as I noted previously, but also for reasons that are unique to being part of the volunteer fire and rescue service. The obvious  difference that comes to the fore is the inherent risks associated with running fire or rescue, which exposes the volunteer to various threats to themselves which in turn can cascade down and impact their job security, health and most importantly, their families. Even given all that, and the fact that you receive no financial compensation for the time you put in, I wouldn’t exchange my time as a volunteer firefighter for pretty much anything else.

 The volunteer fire and rescue service is an inclusive community, open to people of various backgrounds and age groups, men and women, degrees of firefighting and rescue experience (including none), physical stature, and who possess a desire to protect the community in which they live. I was 37 when I first joined up. For their part, the department asks that you do what is necessary to pull your weight, keep your training and skill proficiencies up to date, respect your fellow firefighters and EMTs, and never do anything in the public eye that would reflect poorly on the department and its membership. It’s a more than fair bargain, given that the department will train you in the skills you need, expose you to life situations that you wouldn’t experience in any other pursuit, and instill in you a level of pride and accomplishment that is second to none. And of course, you can live your childhood dream of being on a fire engine running down the road, sirens blaring and lights flashing.

The Turkey Creek Fire and Rescue Department celebrated its 50th anniversary last November, having started back in 1974 with 15 members. Their first “official” department meeting was held in a member’s garage, and their first piece of apparatus was a converted 1951 oil tanker. Today, the department runs out of two stations, on Tar Landing Rd. and Old Folkstone Rd., operates an expansive fleet of operational and administrative apparatus and vehicles, two rescue boats and soon to be added, a new jet-ski. The department ran close to 1,000 calls last year, a highly commendable call volume responded to by its 60 operational members. While I have only been with the department since the first of the year, I have been impressed by the strength and competence of its office cadre, the enthusiasm and dedication of its rank and file members, the comprehensiveness and scope of its training sessions, and its commitment to its service to the community. I greatly appreciate the way in which they have welcomed me into the department.

The challenges facing volunteer organizations are real, and they will continue to be so until the ranks of their  memberships rebound and grow. I ask that you give consideration to investing some of your valued time to become a volunteer, and think about the benefits your involvement will bestow on others and yourself. And if that contemplation leads you to think about being a firefighter or EMT, information as to how to join Turkey Creek Fire & Rescue is readily available on their website and Facebook page. Maybe I’ll see you at the department’s next company meeting.