JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) — About 62% of firefighters across the country are volunteers, and the National Fire Protection Association says the U.S. volunteer fire service has lost a quarter of its members since 2008. The National Volunteer Fire Council says volunteer ranks fell to an all-time low in 2023.
Steve Hirsch, chairman of the National Volunteer Fire Council, said volunteers serve to help their communities.
“We do it to protect our neighbors, to help out our neighbors when they’re having their worst possible day,” Hirsch said.
Time constraints cited as factor
Hirsch said one of the biggest reasons for the decline is time…