In many communities, firefighters provide assistance to first responders or support emergency medical services.
But one of Plum’s volunteer fire departments, Renton Volunteer Fire Department, said it will no longer be able to provide Plum EMS support for the next six months.
Renton volunteers are on call and respond to fire alarms. However, the number of personnel fully trained to provide first responder medical services to support Plum EMS is declining.
“We are unable to take calls in support of Plum EMS, so we wanted to take a pause and regroup, regroup, bring in new members so we can provide this service again,” said Renton VFD Fire Chief Kari Cole. Pittsburgh Action News 4.
Plum EMS staffing levels will not be affected. There is no response to the fire either. Two of Plum’s three other volunteer fire departments provide first responder services and will continue to do so.
The total number of volunteers now is a fraction of what it was in the 1970s, Cole said. Maintaining the number of volunteer firefighters trained to provide first responder medical services is a challenge.
“If you are in the community and can help your station come out and help, there are several positions available. Not just medical or fire, but support staff in terms of fundraising and things like that,” Cole said.
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Post time: Jun-04-2024