Fire department needs volunteers

Remember as a child when you wanted to grow up to be a firefighter? Most people followed another career, but now there is an opportunity to make your childhood dream come true while still working in your chosen career.

The Sisters-Camp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District (RFPD) is in serious need of volunteers, according to Dave Wellington, volunteer coordinator for the district.

“Currently, our personnel numbers are down while fire call numbers are increasing every year,” Wellington said. “With wildland fire season just starting to take off, we are experiencing some staffing problems. We need men and women who are willing to fill a critical slot in the community.”

The district now has 42 volunteers, but they have a goal of maintaining from 55 to 60 volunteers. The staffing shortage is a serious problem now and has the potential of becoming a crisis in the longterm, he said.

“Today, some 42 percent of our volunteers are in their 50s and 60s,” Wellington explained. “Five years from now there will be fewer of these folks available. Without new people starting now and gaining the needed training and experience, we will be in a crisis situation.”

Volunteer recruits must be men or women at least 18 years of age and while they need not be physical “superheroes,” they do need to be in good physical condition and willing to do the required work, Wellington stated. “We have had some new volunteers start after the age of 50 and be very successful,” he said.

In addition to being in good shape, recruits must pass a background check, be insurable to drive district equipment, and be drug-free.

New recruits can expect to spend an initial five to six weekends in their basic training followed by two-hour weekly drills on Monday evenings, Wellington explained.

There may be several special drills a year in which firefighters practice fire fighting in a “burn to learn” exercise.

“We know our volunteers have another life with their families and outside interests, so we try very hard to work around their personal schedules,” he added.

Volunteers provide valuable assistance to the 11 full-time personnel in the district. “Discussions with the Board of Directors and all of our district planning processes fully support acquiring a large volunteers staff and providing an active and vital role for the volunteer firefighter,” said Sisters Fire Chief Taylor Robertson.

“Without strong volunteer support, our ability to serve the public would be severely impaired.”

“On the up side, this is a great group of people, dedicated and conscientious, but they need more help from the community,” Wellington added.

For more information contact Dave Wellington at 549-0771 or pick up an application at the Sisters Fire Hall at 301 S. Elm St. in Sisters.