Less FDs for Pennsylvania?

[mohican]

I read at Firehouse.com and in another source that PA is having difficulty funding Fire Departments and Fire Companies, especially Vollie outfits.

Now, to many fire departments nationwide, staffing and funding is becoming more difficult, and mandated activities are increasing.

But these articles implied a push from the top down to eliminate/consolidate departments

Anyone have anymore feedback?

[mohican]

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania's volunteer fire departments
are in a state of emergency, according to legislators and the
leaders of various companies.
Chronic volunteer shortages, higher equipment costs and
unproductive fundraisers have forced fire companies to do more with
less, department chiefs said. Two state legislative reports - one
issued last week and another issued last November - also suggest
it's time for volunteer fire departments to consolidate, The
Tribune-Democrat of Johnstown reported Sunday.
Departments' most critical need is finding volunteers. The
number of volunteer firefighters in Pennsylvania has dropped from
300,000 in 1976 to 72,000 today, according to a recently released
state report.
Volunteer shortages are most evident when there's a daytime
fire, when most firefighters are working at their paying jobs in
another town, department chiefs said.
That was not the case when industry boomed in western
Pennsylvania, said Richard McPherson, the chief of the West Taylor
Volunteer Fire Company in Somerset County.
"Back in the heyday, when everybody worked three shifts, there
was always somebody around," McPherson said.
Many volunteer companies serve communities of 10,000 or fewer
people, so they lack large populations from which to draw their
volunteers. Also, young people are less interested in firefighting
nowadays, said Steve Unger, the secretary of the Cambria County
Firemen's Association.
Volunteer ranks have taken a hit because the government
recommends more training than before, some department leaders said.
It is recommended that entry-level firefighters have 88 hours of
training.
The training is not mandatory, but failing to follow government
standards leaves departments open to lawsuits, said Dan Buck Sr., a
Somerset firefighter and a training instructor.
Continuing education keeps firefighters abreast of the latest
technologies and techniques, but it is also expensive. It costs
about $7,400 on average to train and equip a firefighter, according
to the National Volunteer Fire Council.
Vehicles are especially budget-draining. A new truck could cost
as much as a high-priced home in some communities.
"We purchased a new engine in 1983, and it cost $123,000. That
same vehicle today would cost $300,000," said Chet Borosky, the
head of Southmont's fire company in Cambria County.
Companies aim to secure state and federal grants that were
created after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Many departments also
receive financial help from the municipalities they protect.
But volunteer fire departments have come to rely on donations
from residents and companies. The companies try to rally support
with dinners, raffles, sandwich sales and other events.
The dozen volunteers in Jerome's company spend about 80 percent
of their time raising funds, said Fire Chief Nick Panasci.
But some departments have canceled events because community
interest has waned. Hooversville's company ended a weekly bingo
night it had hosted since the early 1970s because of a lack on
interest.
State fire Commissioner Ed Mann said that could be a sign that
smaller companies should consolidate.
"In some communities, you could go play bingo every night of
the week at a different fire station," Mann said. "We're
competing with each other."

[Enginedriver28]

I have seen alot of nice apparatus, Firestations, well equiped apparatus in Pa, then I have also seen some small barely there fire depts that cant even afford the bills each month. I use to think it was all in the size of the dept and the community size they serve, but the more I 've looked thats not the way it is. I see some large depts that cover miles and miles with a booming population that cant afford what some small town dept can. Now how do those of you who volunteer with depts that are seeming to stay afloat , stay that way while other arent? What fund raisers work for your dept, How do you keep your apparatus inservice and working, Keep your station from falling apart and most important how do you keep your members interested in the dept, keep the coming around, and how do you bring in more members to serve?
Its time we all stick together and help out the small struggling depts.

Thanks for anyones input
_Enginedriver28_________________