Communities across New York State are dealing with rising costs and shrinking populations, often leaving local organizations struggling to maintain members and funding.

One of the hardest hit groups has been volunteer fire departments and EMS services which small communities like those here in Wayne County have relied on for generations.

Dan Freders is the acting chief at Lincoln Volunteer Fire Department in Ontario and says that while declining volunteer numbers is worrisome, he’s equally concerned with the age of the members they do have.

“When I joined the Department 19 years ago at 18 years old, there were several young people around my age who joined around the same time.  Of the firefighters who remain from that group, most are still among the youngest members.”

It’s a common story at stations throughout the area where membership numbers continue to drop despite community desire to keep these departments operational. While funding is often a top issue for municipalities and adjacent organizations, Freders says “The recruitment/retention is currently more worrisome to me personally because without the people necessary to perform the functions of the Department, the economics really aren't as relevant.”

Freders says Lincoln currently has 25 active members, but many are in their 60’s and 70’s, leaving him concerned for the future.

“In the past year, we have had 5 members resign or transfer their membership from active to social status, and in the same timeframe have received zero applications for membership.  The last new member who applied was in April, 2025.”

While Freders says the reasons members resigned were varied, it’s a trend he sees unfolding elsewhere too. 

“The reality is that we lost one sixth of our active membership in about a year.  It certainly seems like volunteerism isn't the same common way of life it was in decades past, and that goes beyond the fire service.“

Freders notes the state has taken steps to help tackle the recruitment and retention problem by offering stipends for required initial training classes as well as certain other financial incentives to encourage new members to join and existing members to stick around longer. NY state also offers a small income tax credit and a property tax reduction program that Freders says “helps relieve the burden of the time spent away from family, home, work, or other responsibilities.”

Lincoln also participates in a Length of Service Award Program (LOSAP) which provides monthly payments for firefighters after age 65 for each year of service they accrue in the Department.

While younger members are great and highly sought to provide longevity to the department, Freders says they need and welcome members of all ages. “Contrary to what some think, applicants don't need to be in their late teens or 20's, as there are several different roles and responsibilities that need to be filled.  Of course we always need interior firefighters, but also greatly benefit from exterior firefighting members, fire police, drivers, EMTs and first responders, auxiliary members, and the list goes on and on.”

Over in West Walworth, Chief Jeremiah Shufelt echoed many of the same sentiments. Beyond his duties at West Walworth, Shufelt also serves as County Fire Coordinator, working with departments across Wayne County.

“Every fire department in Wayne County is in need of volunteers,” Shufelt says. “Recruitment is a challenge for all volunteer organizations due to increased obligations with family, secondary employment, duel-income schedules and what I feel is a loss of community involvement. The number of volunteer firefighters has decreased 33% in the last 20 years because we require a lot more than other volunteer organizations”

Shufelt notes that changing standards and training requirements are necessary to keep members safe, but that it also means recruitment is a challenge. “Gone are the days where you show up at your local fire hall, fill out an application and get a pager.”

In order to become a volunteer firefighter and operate on a fire scene, New York State recommends each member take the Basic Exterior Firefighting Operations class which is 79 hours. This is a commitment of 2 to 3 nights a week for 3 months including some Saturday classes. The next level is the Interior Fire Operations class is an additional 50 hours over a 2 month period. 

It’s a major commitment, but it’s worth it according to West Walworth’s youngest active member, Aron Zbik.

"I went out on a whim and joined to see if I enjoyed it and absolutely fell in love."

Zbik is just 25 years old and initially joined when he turned 18. After heading away for college, Zbik returned and began the extensive training.

" The group of people are absolutely phenomenal. They push everyone to become the best they can."

While Zbik stays busy with his fulltime job, he says you find the time and help when you can.

"A lot of people scared of the time commitment," Zbik shares, but encourages anyone in the community to just try to get involved in any way they can. 

"Even just showing that the community is interested in what the department is doing is great."

Zbik stressed the "second family" that his department has become and says he feels proud to help his community and be part of something special.

"No one wants to get in a car accident, but when it does happen you want people to show up who are knowledgable and ready to help. There’s just something about being able to help people on their worst day."

As for helping new recruits offset the time commitment necessary to become certified, Shufelt says the state has some great programs already in place and they’re always working on finding more ways to help.

One example is the Association of Fire Districts of the State of New York in conjunction with several other groups proposing a nominal compensation program for firefighters.

“Volunteer firefighters dedicate substantial time to emergency response, training, meetings, fundraising, public education, advocacy, and maintaining operational readiness,” Shufelt said, adding “We will continue to advocate for this program and work on legislation to allow for nominal compensation for volunteer fire department personnel.”

There are several other bills that have been proposed to help departments attract and maintain their members, but Shufelt encourages local residents to just go check out their local department to see what they’re all about.

If you do not know what district you belong to you can visit https://fireinyou.org/how-to-become-a-volunteer-firefighter/.