Local volunteer fire departments are the backbone of emergency services in small towns and rural communities. The Central Warren Fire Protection District, which has stations in Kirkwood and Cameron, is no different, answering thousands of calls over the years; from house fires, medical emergencies, to traffic incidents, saving lives along the way. Without a local fire department, response times would lengthen, and the safety of the community is at a higher risk. Between the demands of full-time jobs, families, and other commitments, the need of volunteers is greater than ever to help out those neighbors, explains Captain Trevor Davies:
“Both of our stations could use more manpower and at this point we are trying to encourage folks if you have any interest at all, come talk to us. There has always been the old adage, ‘I think that would be neat, I’d be interested in doing that, but boy I just don’t have the time to do that.’ Well, I can tell you that a lot of us on that department work full-time and sometimes a couple of jobs. You are taking care of your friends and your neighbors. You are helping your friends and your neighbors to be out there doing those things for them, it means a lot. It truly is very gratifying to be able to serve the community in a different way.”
To get the younger generation excited about becoming involved in the local community and in the fire service industry, Assistant Chief Tracey Vollbracht, shares a recruitment program the department plans to implement:
“That is exactly what we are trying to do. We are going to do what we are calling a probation, and we are going to try and get some high school kids involved and then when they turn 18, they will technically be able to run our calls and help us too. Get them involved early so we have the help.”
For anyone interested in becoming a volunteer firefighter and protecting your local community within the Central Warren Fire Protection District, contact Captain Davies or Assistant Chief Vollbracht with the Cameron Station or reach out to District Chief Justin Taylor, Assistant Chief Jeremy Teel, or Captain Jessica Taylor with the Kirkwood Station.
