Area fire departments say they can use more volunteers to serve their communities

13 News at Six
Published: Dec. 8, 2022 at 3:17 PM CST

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - A number of fire departments outside the Topeka area are looking for volunteers to help serve their communities.

Both firefighters and emergency medical technicians are needed.

Eskridge Fire Chief Jon Taylor told 13 NEWS on Thursday that it’s becoming increasingly difficult to find people who are willing and able to volunteer.

“In most districts in small towns -- I talk to a lot of the chiefs -- we all have a hard time recruiting,” Taylor said. “It’s getting harder and harder every year.”

Taylor said people are becoming busier with their jobs and kids’ sports.

Compounding the problem, Taylor says, many areas of Wabaunsee County have become bedroom communities.

“And that even makes it worse,” he said, “because then if they’re working in Topeka, if we page them out right now, they’re 35 to 45 minutes away.”

Many firefighters also serve as first-responders, providing medical services to those experiencing an emergency.

Taylor said Wabaunsee County recently contracted with American Medical Response out of Topeka to provide ambulance service out of the Eskridge area.

“We just brought an ambulance back to town, and one of our persons will drive the ambulance and the EMT or paramedic that’s on duty for AMR then is in the back with the patient.,” Taylor said. “So that’s kind of a big deal in our area because we haven’t had an ambulance for a long time -- 10 to 15 years or more.”

Taylor says the Eskridge Fire Department serves an approximate 250 square-mile area in Wabaunsee County west of Topeka, which boats “more cows than people.”

He said the Eskridge Fire Department has about 20 people on its roster and has room for up to 30.

Soldier Township Fire Chief Doug Schmitt said it’s well-known that many volunteer fire departments in Kansas are struggling getting enough personnel.

“We’re definitely looking at a volunteer shortage in the fire service,” Schmitt said, “especially in northeast Kansas but all across Kansas.

“We’re also seeing an extreme shortage in the EMS field, too We’re not seeing enough emergency medical technicians or paramedics to provide services to the communities we serve.”

Maple Hill Fire Chief Shawn Kilian said he is seeing similar challenges.

“We’re short on volunteers, like many fire departments,” Kilian said.

Meanwhile, many departments that utilize volunteer firefighters near larger cities haven’t had as much difficulty finding help, Schmitt says.

“We’re in a fairly good situation here, being so close to Topeka,” he said. “We’ve got a fairly good group of people here, so Soldier Township -- we’re currently staffed fairly well.”

Schmitt said he has 36 of 37 allotted positions filled at present.

However, he says, there’s always room for more volunteer firefighters and EMTs.

Said Schmitt: “We’re definitely always on the lookout for high-quality people who are interested in getting in, learning about the medical field, obtaining their certification to be an EMT or paramedic and helping their communities out.

Schmitt said those interested in becoming volunteer firefighters or EMTs may visit their nearest fire station for more information.

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