READER’S VIEW: Standing with the volunteers who stand up for us |
Every community in New York depends on people who answer the call when others are running from danger.
Volunteer firefighters put aside their own personal obligations because someone else needs help. They do it without asking who you voted for, what town you live in or whether it is convenient. When the alarm sounds, they go. That kind of service deserves more than praise. It deserves real support.
Volunteer fire departments are the backbone of public safety across so many of our communities. They respond to fires, car accidents, medical emergencies, storms, floods and countless other situations where seconds matter. In many towns, they are not just part of the emergency response system, they are the emergency response system.
And yet, recruitment and retention have become serious challenges. Too many departments are operating with fewer volunteers, older rosters and growing demands. The work has become more complex, the training requirements have grown, and the calls keep coming. We cannot take for granted that someone will always be there unless we make it easier for good people to step forward and stay involved.
That is why I strongly support efforts to strengthen........