Evacuation is in progress. Anytown Fire Department is on scene. Upon the arrival of the volunteers activity is fast and furious. Fire can be seen through windows on the East side of the building. The Incident Commander must size up the situation and make hundreds of decisions on how best to deal with this emergency.
People are screaming, There s still kids in the building.
Volunteer Fire Department membership is not what it used to be. Twenty years ago there were forty members and there was a waiting list to join your fire department. First of all, this is a problem, which is not occurring just in Palmyra, but it is a nationwide dilemma and although volunteerism in all types of organizations is down the effects in providing fire and emergency services can be especially dire. It is not my intent to go into depth on these problems if you d like to discuss them stop by the fire hall or call and we can get together. My intent here is to let you know that a problem exists and it has the potential for some very negative consequences for us, the citizens of the Palmyra Fire District.