Facing a worsening volunteer firefighter crisis, Pennsylvania has seen suburban towns like King of Prussia transition to hybrid models that combine paid crews with volunteer recruits, writes Isaac Avilucea for AXIOS.
According to Megan Thiele, program director for the International Association of Fire Chiefs, staffing shortages are affecting departments across the state and country, with rural communities often hardest hit.
“We’re in a crisis mode with volunteers,” she said.
The country’s emergency response system relies heavily on volunteer labor, even in cities like Philadelphia that maintain paid fire departments. About 60 percent of EMS and fire departments nationwide are staffed by volunteers, and in Pennsylvania, the figure rises to about 90 percent.
King of Prussia has recently joined other towns adopting hybrid models to avoid coverage gaps. These communities often face high pressure, covering larger areas with less tax revenue and smaller populations to recruit from.
According to assistant chief Bill Jenaway, the King of Prussia Volunteer Fire Company responds to over a dozen calls on a typical day, from elevator rescues to car accidents and fires.
The KOP junior firefighter program has drawn increasing numbers of young people preparing for college, becoming a possible model for developing future career firefighters.
Read more about the hybrid model used by King of Prussia and elsewhere in AXIOS.
