Fire officials from Onondaga County and across the state say there’s an alarming shortage of volunteers to adequately staff fire departments. New statistics show volunteers make up 90% of firefighters, and their levels are at the lowest in 40 years.
The New York State Association of Fire Chiefs is calling for passage of a state law that would allow communities to provide nominal compensation for on-duty volunteers in firehouses.
Past District Chief of the Northwest Fire District in Baldwinsville Tony McIntyre said fire departments need the option of asking their municipalities for additional funds…