The challenges facing volunteer fire departments are many.

With an ultimate focus of providing aid to their communities, departments have been burdened by strict regulations and a decrease in cash flow. Paying for basic equipment can ring up a bill costing thousands of dollars. Keeping vehicle fleets current and functional is even more of a financial burden.

Last week, Pennsylvania Auditor General Eugene DePasquale appealed to state legislators to reform laws regarding volunteer fire department funding. Specifically, he took aim at Volunteer Fire Relief Associations, which help departments pay for training, equipment and benefits.

DePasquale said laws prohibit certain purchases using those funds, including technology upgrades. He said there are some departments that are struggling to keep the doors open despite their fund having in excess of $1 million. He called for legislators to update and ease the laws.

DePasquale should be commended for seeking to find solutions to the problems plaguing volunteer fire departments.

Most assuredly, more financial freedom will only stand to benefit these organizations, a point confirmed by several Butler County fire officials.

However, those same officials were and have always been quick to point out the largest issue facing volunteer fire departments: a lack of manpower.

While the 35,000 volunteer firefighters listed as serving state agencies may seem high, many departments find it a struggle to fill the ranks.

Even those with bigger rosters face issues with timing. Fires or accidents during the day may only see a few responders as most work full-time jobs in addition to their volunteer service.

County departments have gotten creative in how they pursue increasing volunteer roles, from live-in programs to the use of tax incentives.

Many have put an increased focus on community outreach, hosting open houses and “touch-a-truck” events to not only keep a strong bond with the community, but also to plant the seed of interest in a potential volunteer or two.

DePasquale noted the use of relief funds for outreach promotion is strictly regulated, and he wants to see those restrictions eased as well. We could not agree more.

We also encourage residents to get involved in their local volunteer fire departments, and help to spread the word about their need for volunteers.

While looser regulations for fire relief fund purchases are surely appreciated by fire officials, we venture to guess they won’t mean much unless there are volunteers there to take advantage of them.

— JWJ