In January of 2017, Pennsylvania legislators approved a resolution to establish a special bipartisan, legislative commission to recommend improvements to the delivery of emergency services in the state and develop and promote legislation to further its recommendations.

            The report was released yesterday (Wednesday) and warns us of a crisis in the Commonwealth's fire and rescue services – something nearly every area volunteer already knew.

            The report cites that the number of volunteers continues to fall amid funding needs and training challenges.

            A recent report on Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services, issued in June, supports many of the findings of the state report.

            The 95-page Commonwealth study reports that there were about 300,000 volunteer firefighters in the state in the 1970s, a number that's fallen to about 38,000 currently.  There are a few local volunteers who have been around long enough to be counted in both of those censuses.

            When people see firetruck after firetruck driving by on the way to an emergency, people wonder why so much equipment is needed?  Most times it's not the extra equipment that's needed, it's the firefighters.

            Gone are the days when eight or ten firefighters manned a single truck – filling the seats and standing on the back step.  Today, insurance regulations have done away with that iconic scene of firefighters standing on the back step and holding onto a bar as they rode down the street.  But, that doesn't matter because today you're thrilled if you can get four qualified volunteers on one truck – dedicated to perform a service to the community that many take for granted.

            More than 90 percent of the state's nearly 2,500 fire companies are volunteer organizations.  Mergers and firehouse closings will continue unless we find a way to recruit and train more volunteers.  We've seen it happen in nearby communities.

            The report contains 27 recommendations that include simplifying regionalization, boosting state aid, setting standards for firefighter training and requiring sprinklers in new home construction.

            In the near future we'll report on those recommendations. In the meantime, local officials should review the status of their own municipality's fire protection.  Then, review the state-issued report and look for ways you, as an elected official, can work towards recruiting and retaining volunteers and keeping your residents safe.

            The creators of the report say the next step is to push lawmakers to adopt its recommendations.

            While heads are being scratched in Harrisburg, if you have the desire, and think you have what it takes to be a volunteer firefighter or fire police officer, check with your local fire company and join up.

            You'll be welcomed.