How to resolve AdBlock issue? GREENFIELD CENTER —When interviewing Alvah Older several years ago, he recounted his years as a volunteer fireman in Middle Grove. He talked of the pride he felt in the work he did and how fulfilling it had been to help people in times of crisis. But, he also carried with him the burden of memories that never left him—memories of the house fires that claimed lives, auto accidents that left the responder numb afterwards, of rescues turned recoveries. Even so, Alvah also noted that he would never have considered not doing the work. It was, after all, what the men did in small communities 50 years ago—volunteered to be firemen and they loved what they did.
Today, Greenfield Fire District has four companies—Middle Grove, Porter Corners, Maple Avenue and Greenfield Center—with approximately 140 volunteers. The district was formed in 1947 and is run by a Board of Fire Commissioners made up from residents of the district. Getting people to volunteer is becoming an increasingly bigger problem for the district—for most fire companies nationwide—in that volunteers must take off time from work, often without pay, to participate in training as well as answer calls at any given time.
“The numbers are down,” said District Fire Chief John Lant, who has been a firefighter for the last 40 years. “The biggest problem for volunteers is it is a big commitment—there are day time hours and people work; there is mandatory training; and in many households today both the husband and wife work and their children are involved in lots of activities so no one has the time.”
Greenfield, with the largest fire district in the county, answers around 1,500 calls annually. Those calls run the gamut from simple calls from a person who lives alone and is isolated and is just in need of company; to a search and rescue where finding the person quickly can be a matter of life or death; to a raging, out-of-control fire that threatens life and property.
“You never know what you are going to get called out on,” explained Lant, adding for the traumatic events they have critical incident stress counseling available. “We also try to keep our new members from the real traumatic calls.”
Maple Avenue Assistant Fire Chief Duane Bogardus said that Greenfield has also travelled to other counties to help in times of disasters, such as when Hurricane Sandy struck the East Coast, the 2011 flooding of Hurricane Irene and the 2006 flood of Ft. Plains.
“We also have the Are You Okay Program,” added Bogardus. “If there are bad storms in the area, we call people we know live alone, are elderly or disabled or just need someone to check on them and make sure they are okay.”
Each department of the fire district has specialized functions—Maple Avenue has the ladder truck for high-rise rescues; as well as low angle rope and off-road rescues; Middle Grove is water rescue and foam deployment for chemical fires; and Greenfield Center is heavy rescue. All four have Jaws of Life and all four have search and rescue teams.
Lant said he feels volunteer firefighters have to have a calling—something innate within them that draws them to the career.
“It is definitely a calling someone must feel,” said Lant. “I know I love it.”
With increasing numbers of women also volunteering, Lant said volunteers are required to attend the state sponsored Fire Fighter One, which is 87 hours. The district covers the cost of the training.
Greenfield also requires volunteers to participate in a 36-hour mentoring program.
“We are also big in fire prevention and do seminars and educational programs for schools, civic groups and at senior citizen housing,” explained Lant, adding that the district board is one of the best they have had in the department’s history. “They are a very good Board. They are frugal with the taxpayers’ money but take care of the fire department.”
Lant noted that becoming a volunteer firefighter requires a certain mindset as well as physical requirements. With full turn out gear weighing upwards of 80 pounds and grueling workouts in all types of weather and conditions, being fit mentally, physically and emotionally is necessary.
“It’s a young man’s game,” said Lant, adding that many young women are also beginning to volunteer and bring a new element to the work. “The women are proving to be just as capable [physically, mentally and emotionally] if not better,” said Lant. “Women are really good at calming a victim down and soothing them—they bring a nurturing aspect into it.”
Lant credits the firefighters who volunteer in Greenfield as being some of the best in their field.
“We are fortunate in that we have some really great and knowledgeable fire officers and firefighters,” said Lant. “We have a lot of very dedicated people.”
Volunteers also reap some state and federal benefits such as tax breaks, benefits and a small pension. A minimum number of calls, meetings and training must be maintained, though.
Lant said to volunteer, all one has to do is to show up at any of the district’s fire houses on a Tuesday evening after 6:30 p.m.
Lant said that people who want to volunteer but aren’t able to meet the physical requirements could also consider volunteering for the Women’s Auxiliary, which works behind the scenes to help the firefighters.
“We are always looking for people to join—male or female,” said Lant. “Helping people is a great feeling—to be a fireman is a true calling.”
