Fire department appeals for more volunteers

Based on the experience of last Saturday’s fire in Crossroads, the Sisters-Camp Sherman fire department is in serious need of volunteers, according to Dave Wellington, volunteer coordinator for the district. (See related story, page 1).

“We had four personnel just returning to Sisters from an emergency medical run to Bend and four people on duty at the Sisters station when the call came in on that fire,” Wellington explained. “While we still got 17 firefighters on the fire, it was starting to get a little skimpy, particularly if we had received one more call.”

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 long-term, he said.

“Close to half 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 to gain the needed training and experience, we will be in a crisis situation.”

Volunteer recruits can be men or women and must be at least 18 years of age. 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 two full weekends in their basic training followed by two-hour weekly drills on Monday evenings, Wellington explained. There may be several special drills a year where firefighters practice fire fighting in a “burn to learn” exercise.

“Our next volunteer training session starts this Saturday, March 11 and runs both days for two weekends, about seven to eight hours a day,” Wellington added. “After that, volunteers can expect to invest four to five hours a month in addition to the weekly drills.” Where volunteers live and work usually affects how often they are dispatched.

“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. This is an opportunity to pay back to the community and to be associated with a great group of people, he added.

Volunteers provide valuable assistance to the 11 full-time fire and emergency medical personnel in the district. “Without strong volunteer support, our ability to serve the public would be severely impaired,” said Sisters Fire Chief Taylor Robertson.

To learn more about becoming a volunteer contact Dave Wellington at 549-0771 or pick up an application at the Sisters Fire Hall at 301 S. Elm St. in Sisters.