Your local volunteer fire department needs you;

 here's how to help

Sam Ruland, York Daily RecordPublished 6:33 p.m. ET March 5, 2019

You don't have to run into burning buildings to be a hero.

Pennsylvania, home of the first volunteer fire department, founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1736, 

now faces a crisis as the number of volunteers continues to fall amid funding needs and training challenges.

So how can you help?

               1. Join the fire department

The duties of firefighters have shifted over the years. They are regularly dispatched for water rescues, 

 vehicular accidents, hazardous material spills, drug overdoses, and natural disasters.

So there are more calls coming in, and fewer people to respond to them. 

Volunteer opportunities in your area are listed on makemeafirefighter.org.

And fire departments have tasks that don't involve fighting fires. That could including  

•   Bookkeeping 
•  Fundraising
•   Monitoring social media accounts 
• Teaching fire safety to children
•    Installing smoke alarms in area homes
•  Helping with maintenance around the fire station

2. Donate to your local department

Donations are always welcome. 

Training costs have increased greatly since the 1980s, and if a volunteer company is unable to front the costs,

 recruits may have to pay their own way. This means that for the most basic gear, a volunteer could face a $4500.00 expense.

Fundraising now takes up to 60 percent of a volunteer firefighter’s time.

Donations don't always have to be money either. Fire departments often are in need of other supplies such as:

• Cases of bottled water
• Furniture for the station
• Construction items such as plywood, which can be used for training courses
• Food

3. Attend fundraising events

Attending a fundraising event organized by your local fire department is technically another way of donating, but you're getting something in return. 

Fire departments often put a lot of time and effort into these events, and the proceeds go toward the fire department's expenses and needs. 

For years, departments were able to rely on benefit auctions, carnivals, community bingo and raffles to cover costs. But now, with equipment prices rising and fewer volunteers to organize such functions, it’s barely enough to get by. They need all the support they can get.