Getzville, N.Y. (WBEN) - The annual recruiting drive has begun for volunteer firefighters. Fire companies say getting volunteers is a challenge, and there are myths about what it takes to become one.
"We'll take whoever we can get," said David Morales of Getzville Fire. "There are some companies and departments that are doing better than others, but I don't think across the entire country, there's a single organization that would turn down a number if we got too many people."
Morales says there's a myth that makes some people think they can't become volunteer firefighters.
"We have the ability to train anybody who comes forward. All you need to have is a drive to better yourself and serve your community," Morales explained with WBEN. "You don't have to have any previous skills, or any extra certifications. We will provide all of the training. We'll provide all the equipment, and we'll be happy to have you."
Morales adds there's more to being a firefighter than putting out fires.
"There are EMS courses that you can go and you can become a paramedic through that, and you can get use that to leverage into a future job career if you want, most fire companies will pay for you to get your EMT certification. There are rope rescue courses. There's water rescue courses, where you can learn how to scuba dive, and you can get your scuba certification paid for," Morales said.
While some companies have requirements or percentages you have to meet, or maybe certain hours that you have to staff your fire hall, Morales says fire companies will work around your schedule.
"They work with you if you're off on Mondays and Tuesdays, and you volunteer on Monday and Tuesdays, or maybe you volunteer at night or in the morning. I'll tell you this, if you have off during the work day, nine to five, you're worth your weight in gold as a volunteer firefighter," he noted.