Small communities throughout Illinois are having trouble recruiting and retaining volunteers at their local fire departments. 70% of fire departments in Illinois are volunteers. Springfield is the only community in Sangamon County with an all full-time fire department.
The Illinois Fire Chief's Association has been offering seminars over the past few years to help departments recruit new members. The seminars are covered by a $1.3 million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Loami Fire Chief Troy Johnson says it's hard getting anyone interested in volunteering because everyone's too busy and no one wants to do anything for free.
Williamsville Fire Chief Scott Gaddy says new recruits can spend months taking classes to get certified, but later be called away for hours at a time without notice.
