FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, Ill. — We often take fire departments for granted but on the worst day of our lives, they are the men and women we depend on.
On average, a volunteer firefighter will only stay five years at a fire hall before deciding to call it quits, which has left many departments struggling to fill up their trucks.
"Every call we just couldn’t wait to get out to the engine house with dad," says Lt. Justin Loepker of the Fairview Volunteer Fire Department.
Loepker, a third-generation firefighter, said he knew from the day he could walk that he would join the ranks.
"It gets in your blood," he said.
Lately, finding young guys like Justin, are becoming a tougher fight than the flames themselves.
Some of that has to do with the level of commitments.
"It does get long times of not getting to see each other or you just sit down to that meal you’ve been cooking for 2 hours and you say sorry babe, I’ll get back when I get back," said Loepker.
Chief Bryan Doyle says it also has to do with the full-time jobs his men and women have to pay the bills.
"Back in 1933 when we started out we still had farmers and things like that, so we had people during the day during the week. Not so much anymore," said Chief Doyle.
His firefighters can also love the job too much and want to go full time.
"We have firefighters that start out as volunteers, we pay they go through school and then they’re a good catch for Collinsville and Belleville who are career departments because they love the fire service, they love what they do, and they can be on full time to do it," he said.
Fairview Fire isn't the only department seeking volunteers in the Metro East. 5 On Your Side found at least four other volunteer halls that are advertising heavily on social media that they need more volunteers.
"Fire departments in our area who used to have rosters of 35-38 firefighters are down to 18 to 19," said Chief Doyle.
In addition to social media, Justin says they've been doing more community events to interest children at a young age, much like he was.
"We go to all the schools and we’ll talk to all the kids and let them see all the firefighters in bunker gear and see them in a mask and let them climb around trucks," said Loepker.
He thinks if you're willing to give it a chance, it might just get in your blood too.
"It makes it worth it because you get to help see the relief and calm them down from their worst possible day that they can have," he said.
Chief Doyle said their department is making due with the number of firemen and women they have, but if it ever gets really bad - they would have to double Fairview Height's taxes to transition to a department that hires firefighters as full-time positions.
