From The Editor Volunteers Wanted
I was raised in a small town in New Jersey, mostly through the 60’s and 70’s. Mine Hill was the name of my town, a small blue‐collar town of roughly 3000 residents. Like most small towns in those days our Fire Department and First Aid Squad were staffed solely with volun‐ teers. You can imagine, that in a town the size of Mine Hill, it took a good percentage of our neighbors to adequately staff both agencies. Somehow, back then; there wasn’t much of a problem finding volunteers. Matter of fact, if memory serves, there was a lengthy waiting list and interview process to “get on the squad.” Even if you were selected, it would be months of training before you were put on the lineup. It was easy to distinguish who among your neighbors was one of the select few who were chosen to fill one of those coveted “volunteer” positions. It was common knowledge. These were people I looked up to, and highly respect‐ ed as a kid. These were the people who, at the first blast of the tones, dropped whatever they were doing, at whatever time of day or night it happened to be, grabbed their equipment, and jumped in their personal vehicle to help a neigh‐ bor in need. It was also quite common for the children of these “volunteers” to follow in their parent’s footsteps and grab one of those slots when they came open. They had the inside scoop.
Something Has Changed
Today, things are changing. Not specifically in Mine Hill, but in thousands of small towns just like it. The number of people volunteering their personal time to serve their communities has
Ron Whitney
been in a steady decline. Why is that? Are we too busy? Do we have enough on our plates as it is? Do we have other priorities? Or is it simply apathy. I hope not. Obviously the answer is a deeply personal one for many people. Some communities are fortunate enough to have the resources to fund and staff our first responders. Some are not. In many communities the ser‐ vices that were provided by volunteers are sim‐ ply gone, never to return. Some communities merge services, some contract them out. Bottom line, it just what it used to be. Today, in many of those communities, which used to be overflowing with volunteers, we have some very highly trained and motivated young men and women filling the void. They have the same intense desire to be there for their neighbors in times of need. The difference now, they are being paid, and in most cases not nearly enough.
Can’t Go Back
Although I am realistic enough to understand that the days of strong volunteerism are dwin‐ dling, I remain hopeful that spirit will survive. Volunteers are a very special breed of people; you have my gratitude, my admiration, and more importantly my utmost respect. Thank you.
Best Regards,
4 EMS PRO Magazine
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