Answering the Call: Volunteer Fire Departments Witness Decline of Volunteers

San Angelo, TX – Fire departments all across Texas have been experiencing an increasing shortage of volunteer firemen, which has caused a critical issue locally.

In the Concho Valley, there are at least 10 full-time volunteer fire departments that help protect and serve the people of San Angelo and the outlying areas. It is through their time and commitment to their communities that these departments are able to provide first-class service to the remote areas of Texas.

According to Jose Rivera, Deputy Fire Chief of Grape Creek Volunteer Fire Department, approximately 80 percent of firefighters in Texas are volunteers. However, as volunteer numbers decrease, the harder it becomes for the departments to respond to calls and have the necessary personnel to assist those in need.

One of the biggest challenges for volunteers, according to Rivera, is having the time to complete the necessary training to provide the best service possible. The majority of volunteers are individuals with full-time jobs, responsibilities and families they must provide for. It takes a true calling to donate the limited amount of time left in their schedule to help out their community.

Subsequently, the expense associated with becoming a volunteer firefighter can also present an obstacle. Volunteers are required to finance their own training, which allows them to be ready for any kind of accident or catastrophe that arises.

Firemen at GCVFD are constantly working to improve their skill level, which means traveling out of town several times a year, or to the annual fire school in College Station.

“We want to provide the same level of service the paid guys do,” Rivera said. “It’s what the community deserves.”

The services these departments provide rely fully on the support of the community through donations and volunteered time. As the first responders to outlying areas, having enough firefighters attend to calls during regular business hours can be a challenge because, as stated, most volunteers have full-time jobs.

Shane Crimm, Assistant Fire Chief of the Quail Valley Volunteer Fire Department, emphasized the need for volunteers all year round.

“We are busy 12 months a year, every year,” Crimm said. “There is a full-time need for our services.”

Oftentimes, volunteer fire departments are highlighted and praised during times of need or major fires that require the collaboration of all available units, but they work hard every day of the year. They appreciate and need community support all the time.

Both GCVFD and QVVFD have fully trained volunteers who are able to provide first-class services to those in need, including extraction tools such as Jaws of Life and medical vehicles. They respond to large areas around the county and truly appreciate any aid or time the public is able to provide. They also provide mutual aid to any department or community nearby that needs the assistance.

For those people interested in stepping up to the task and becoming volunteer firefighters, or providing any type of assistance, Rivera and Crimm encourage them to visit their local departments and answer the call for service.

The Grape Creek Fire Volunteer Fire Department is located at 7912 Wren Rd in San Angelo, while the Quail Valley Volunteer Fire Department can be found at 8468 Rust Rd. in San Angelo.

Editor's Note: Our writer previously stated there are "two" full-time volunteer fire departments, but there are at least 10 in the surrounding areas. The correction has been made.