The Future Of The Volunteer Fire Service
Thirty years ago, I joined the volunteer fire service. It felt like I was becoming part of something timeless. Back then, the firehouse was alive with traditions. We held fundraisers, musters, parades, and countless get togethers. We had softball and bowling teams that didn’t just compete but built bonds. All our families knew one another. Our kids grew up surrounded by a dozen aunts, uncles, and cousins. Belonging to the fire service wasn’t just about fighting fires—it was about pride, honor, and community. When you put on that department shirt, it meant something.
But somewhere along the way, things began to change—slowly at first, then all at once. The musters—those events we looked forward to all year—stopped happening. Maybe it was the lack of participation, maybe it was just people not wanting to take the lead anymore, but they were gone. Parades, once packed with members in uniform, dwindled to a few firefighters grudgingly lining up. And fundraisers, which used to be a no-brainer, have become a struggle. It feels like asking for help now is a burden. People would rather stay home than pitch in.
The real kicker, though, has been the loss of camaraderie. We used to have each other’s backs without question. If someone needed help—whether on the fireground or in life—we were there. Now, too often, it feels like people are quick to tear each other down. Instead of looking out for your brother or sister, some have resorted to gossiping and spreading negativity. The bond we once had is weakening.
And what happened to wearing that department T-shirt with pride? I remember a time when slipping on that shirt filled you with a sense of responsibility and belonging. Now, it feels like some people wear it just to show off, that it’s more about looking like a hero than being one. The honor that came with the uniform seems to have been replaced by a thirst for recognition.
Over the years, I’ve watched the generational shift happen in real time. We used to respond to every call, no matter what it was. A fire alarm? The whole rig would show up. Now, I’ve seen members leave the station because it’s “just an alarm” or “not a good call.” Since when did we start picking and choosing which calls are worth our time? Every call used to matter, no matter how big or small. The sense of duty has slipped away.
Training has taken a similar hit. I was taught that you train to survive. You fight how you train, and you never know when that training might be the difference between life and death. Live burn exercises used to be packed. Everyone wanted to learn, to get better. Now, we’re lucky if six people show up. It’s frustrating because I see newer firefighters relying on books and certifications, thinking that’s enough. Don’t get me wrong- books are important. But a piece of paper isn’t going to save your life. It’s the experience, the hands-on training, the muscle memory you build that will keep you alive when things go south.
Then there’s the issue of retention. We’ve always been a stepping stone for career firefighters. I get it-volunteers train, get the itch, and leave for the career side. And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. I’m proud of every firefighter who moves on to the next level. But what happens when we’re not filling the gaps they leave behind? We need people ready to step up, and that’s not happening anymore.
In recent years, we’ve had plenty of new members join. But many don’t want to become certified firefighters. They want to help in other ways, and we need that, sure. We can use them at scenes, at motor vehicle accidents, doing support work. But at the end of the day, we are the “fire department.” We need firefighters to fight fires. If we don’t have people willing to get certified, to step into the flames, what are we even doing?
We can’t fulfill our mission of saving lives and protecting property if we don’t have a fully capable, certified staff. The fire service has many departments and many different approaches but, at the core, we all share the same goal. And that goal is slipping away from the volunteer side.
It feels like the volunteer fire service has become more of an idea than a calling for some. That can’t happen. Firefighters must want to be there, to make a difference, to do the job-period. If not, we’re just a social club with fancy trucks. And that’s not what we signed up for.
We can’t let those traditions die. We can’t let the pride, the honor, the camaraderie fade into the past. It’s up to us to make sure the volunteer fire service is something people want to be a part of, not just for the title but for the mission. Because if we don’t, we’ll lose more than just our traditions-we’ll lose the very heart of what it means to be a firefighter.
Christopher M. Edwards
Chief of Department
Seymour (CT) Fire Department
THERE IS NO “SECRET INGREDIENT”
In both the military and the fire service, mastering the basics is what separates excellence from mediocrity. After spending a career in special operations, I learned there is no secret ingredient to success-just an unwavering commitment to the fundamentals. This truth became even clearer to me during an unexpected moment of clarity, thanks to a line from the animated film Kung Fu Panda. The movie’s protagonist, Po, is given some advice from his father about his “secret ingredient” soup. The secret? There is no secret. It is just plain noodle soup.
At that moment, I realized how well that concept applied to my own experiences. After seven years in the Army with the 75th Ranger Regiment, three years as a private military contractor, and three years into a new career in the fire service, I could see that there is no special formula for success in any high-performance organization-only a relentless commitment to the basics.
The 75th Ranger Regiment is widely regarded as the military’s premier infantry force. It is known for its ability to conduct precision raids on high-value targets while maintaining the massive firepower of a traditional infantry line company. Despite this reputation, there is no secret ingredient behind its effectiveness. What sets the unit apart is its mastery of the basics.
From the day I set foot into special operations, the training culture was built on the principle known as The Big Five. This philosophy focused on five fundamental areas of proficiency: marksmanship, physical fitness, medical training, small-unit tactics, and mobility. These skills form the foundation of every individual ranger and the unit as a whole. The idea is simple: Master the basics so completely that they can be executed rapidly, without conscious thought, in the heat of combat. This relentless pursuit of mastery allows the rangers and other special operations forces to adapt and excel in any situation.
It takes little imagination to see how this philosophy applies directly to the fire service. Just as in special operations, success on the fireground is not the result of some hidden formula. It comes down to proficiency in the core skills that every firefighter must master. Chief Scott Thompson of The Colony (TX) Fire Department has identified what he calls the Big Five for the fire service: hose drills, ladder drills, personal protective equipment drills, firefighter assist and survival techniques, and hand tool operations. These are the essential skills that firefighters use on every call, day in and day out.
Much like the rangers, firefighters must train in these basic skills until they become second nature. This means drilling until you do not just know them-you cannot get them wrong. Whether it is pulling hose or operating hand tools, repetition builds muscle memory, and that muscle memory is what saves lives when seconds count. And, make no mistake, the firefighter’s battlespace is won and lost over mere seconds.
The rangers shoot the same bullets, use the same battle drills, and carry the same weight as the rest of the army. What sets them apart is their commitment to mastering these basics. Sure, they may have a bigger budget or access to more advanced equipment, but without a solid foundation, none of that matters. Mastery of the basics is what gives rangers the ability to think quickly and adapt when the unexpected happens.
The same holds true for firefighters. Mastering the fundamentals of the job-no matter how simple or routine they may seem-is what enables firefighters to remain effective when a fireground throws a curveball. When conditions change rapidly or when they’re faced with a complex scenario, those basic skills allow firefighters to pivot, improvise, and overcome.
And this pursuit of mastery is not confined to large, well-funded departments. It doesn’t matter whether you are part of a volunteer department in a rural county or a career firefighter in a big city. Being able to rely on the basics is what defines operational success. That is what makes you a good firefighter.
There is no “secret ingredient” to becoming an exceptional firefighter. It is not about having the latest tools or the most advanced equipment. Mastery is a mindset put into practice through basic foundational skills. It is about whether you and your team can execute the basics flawlessly every time, no matter what challenges you face. Mastery of the basics is what builds trust-your team’s trust in you and the public’s trust in your ability to respond when it matters most.
The key to success is not some hidden secret. It is simply the basics. And the basics always work.
Matt Berkins
Firefighter/EMT
St. Tammany (LA) Fire District No. 1
