NT fire officials unveils "step up" volunteer recruitment plan

Yahoo

2 days ago

NORTH TONAWANDA — When it was formed in 1890, Gratwick Hose Fire Co. No. 6 had thousands of volunteer supporters.
Today, the number of volunteers supporting the Lumber City fire company has dwindled to just 15.
It's a sign of changing times and an example of a larger problem facing many fire companies statewide.
On Thursday, North Tonawanda officials unveiled 'Operation Step Up,' an incentive-based plan they hope will help increase volunteer rates at Gratwick.
'We know times are changing and across the country volunteer organizations are facing growing challenges,' North Tonawanda Mayor Austin Tylec said during a press conference at Gratwick's fire station on Ward Road. 'People are busier than ever, juggling work, family life and personal commitments. The decline in volunteerism is real and affects the most important services like firefighting. That's why Operation Step Up is such an important initiative. This is more than just a recruitment effort. It's a modern and thoughtful approach to revitalizing volunteerism.'
Operation Step Up will allow volunteers to receive stipends for service and training as part of what Gratwick's President Robert Brennan described as a 'basket full of benefits' being offered at the local and state levels to boost volunteer firefighter service in North Tonawanda and across New York.
'We can't continue on the current trajectory that we are on,' Brennan said.
Through Operation Step Up, volunteers will be eligible to receive $3,000 annual stipends for their service as well as $2,000 initial training stipends.
In addition, as is the case with all volunteer firefighters in New York, Gratwick's volunteers can take advantage of full tuition payments if they pursue degrees as students at SUNY schools and can also receive free certification as Emergency Medical Technicians.
Volunteers also become members of the North Tonawanda Volunteer Firemen's Benevolent Association. Through that organization, volunteers are eligible for reimbursement for medical and dental procedures, eye care treatment and other health benefits.
Most importantly, Brennan said, volunteers get to be part of a larger volunteer community as they provide a vital service to their fellow residents.
'Part of our mission statement, really our whole mission statement, is to support the city, to support the fire department as a whole,' he said.
Fire service in North Tonawanda is covered by a combination of paid and volunteer firefighters. Fire Chief Doug Orlowski said the city's current paid staff of fire personnel is 38. Orlowski set increasing the number of volunteer firefighters citywide as a priority when he was sworn in as fire chief in January.
Orlavsky said volunteers must commit to participating in at least monthly city fire training drills and must obtain 100 hours of training to be considered fully qualified. On average, he said city fire crews respond to about 4,000 calls per year, the bulk of which — roughly 80% — involves EMT-related incidents. Actual fires represent about 20% of the total number of fire calls each year, he said.
'There's absolutely a danger involved in firefighting, however, that's what the training is for,' he said.
Brennan, Orlawsky and North Tonawanda Mayor Austin Tylec all stressed that the need for volunteers is great as are the benefits to those who agree to train and serve.
Individuals interested in volunteering are asked to fill out an application form found on the the Step-Up program link on the Gratwick Hose website at https://www.gratwickhose6.com/operation-step-up.html.