The Crucial Role of Volunteers in Rural Fire Departments
The Beaver Lake Fire Department is one of the many rural fire departments in Arkansas that relies heavily on part-time and volunteer firefighters to protect residents. In fact, only 28 out of the state’s 1,003 fire departments are fully staffed with career, fully paid employees. This means 97% of Arkansas relies on these volunteers to ensure public safety, particularly in rural areas.
These volunteers come from all walks of life, including nurses, factory workers, and mechanics. They join the department to serve their community, often balancing their professional responsibilities with the demands of firefighting. Firefighter Tyler Harrell, who works at both the Beaver Lake and Rogers Fire Departments, emphasized the importance of having a local presence. The Beaver Lake Department responds to a wide range of emergencies, including fires, gas calls, and medical situations, in an area covering over 12 square miles and nearly 7,000 residents.
Despite the dedication of these volunteers, the department faces challenges, primarily with staffing. Firefighters like Elijah Ballou, who also works as an ER nurse, point out that the department often lacks the numbers present at city responses. This shortage of manpower makes it harder for them to adhere to the national standard of 19 personnel at a structure fire. However, they overcome this by relying on mutual aid and camaraderie among the staff.
Financial constraints are another issue the department faces. It relies on residential dues paid through property taxes and donations to fund its two stations and staff. Firefighter Justin Stanbery noted that they had to spend ,000 on a motor rebuild for one of their trucks last year, highlighting the burden of maintenance costs.
These challenges notwithstanding, volunteering at the Beaver Lake Fire Department is not just about working; for many, it is a way to give back to their community. Ballou, for instance, grew up around Beaver Lake and started volunteering in 2021. He found it fulfilling to serve in the same area where he grew up.
The situation at Beaver Lake is not isolated; rural fire departments across Arkansas are facing similar challenges in attracting volunteers. This shortage has been recognized by state leaders, who are working to ensure that these essential services are protected from overly burdensome regulations that could force their closure.
