The plan self-destructed when he was told state regulations didn't allow such a realignment. He also faced major union opposition. Gordon's proposed paramedic reorganization was going to be the first step toward a countywide professional fire service because, he observed, fighting fires was becoming less important to the volunteers. Homes and office buildings are safer today than 30 years ago, with better electrical wiring and more efficient furnaces. Many have smoke and heat alarms.
Apartments have sprinkler systems.
The volunteer fire companies are fast becoming emergency medical and ambulance service driven. While I found Gordon's explanation plausible, it seemed far-fetched that volunteer fire companies would be turning in their corporation papers in my lifetime. Pa. An insider's view At an international firefighters convention in Kansas City, Steelman interviewed John P. Fox, president of the New Castle County Volunteer Firemen's Association. The Wayne Township department, which operates in an Indianapolis suburb, has 500 members and has been a national model of volunteer operations, featured in every major trade magazine and a textbook example of administration, according to Steelman. As of Jan. 1, it will cease to exist after 60 years and an 80-member professional department will take over.