The state’s auditor general recently noted that funding for Pennsylvania’s fire departments has “fluctuated wildly” over the years, while county fire chiefs said an even bigger problem is getting volunteers.

Both of their concerns are valid — and their statements true.

Auditor General Eugene DePasquale noted during a news conference this week that aid for Volunteer Fire Relief Associations is collected from a 2 percent tax on fire insurance policies sold in the state by out-of-state companies, and is used to pay for equipment, training and insurance for volunteer fire departments.

In 2013, state aid for the departments totaled $72.5 million, but last year it was only $60 million, the state auditor said. He has called on the state to loosen its laws on how departments can use the allocated funds.

Meanwhile, Butler County’s fire chiefs said the biggest issue they face is a decline in volunteers. That’s been an alarming trend now for decades.

While 96 percent of the state’s firefighters are volunteers — according to a 2014 report — the number of volunteer firefighters has dropped from 300,000 during the 1970s to less than 40,000 presently. The one thing that hasn’t decreased? The number of fires.

Bills passed earlier this year in the state Senate could be of assistance.

One expanded and extended the Fire Company and Emergency Medical Service Grant Program through June 2024, which could allow for recruitment and retention programs.

Nathan Wulff, Unionville Volunteer Fire Company’s assistant fire chief, said that keeping up fire services for some communities would require major tax increases — which is not financially feasible for many municipalities in the county.

So, if paid staffing is not a viable option for some of the county’s fire departments, and there aren’t enough new volunteers, then state lawmakers need to consider options like DePasquale’s — laxer laws on how departments can use their funds, such as paying firefighters.

At the same time, lawmakers should continue to emphasize the expansion of recruitment and retention efforts. And municipalities that can afford to offer financial incentives should consider doing so.

DePasquale said of the state’s volunteer fire departments: “The services they provide save local taxpayers billions of dollars.”

They also save lives. Let’s not short-change them.

— NCD