Rural fire protection districts seeking volunteers

Few volunteers available to respond during the day

March 20, 2024 at 4:00 a.m.

by Garrett Fuller

Democrat photo/Garrett Fuller — FILE — California Fire Department volunteers Isaac McDaniel, from left, Kole Ingram and Jay Fortner roll up a hose Feb. 20 after extinguishing a structure fire in the 300 block of Park Street. Rural fire protection districts are struggling to find a sufficient number of volunteers, especially during the day.
Democrat photo/Garrett Fuller — FILE — California Fire Department volunteers Isaac McDaniel, from left, Kole Ingram and Jay Fortner roll up a hose Feb. 20 after extinguishing a structure fire in the 300 block of Park Street. Rural fire protection districts are struggling to find a sufficient number of volunteers, especially during the day.

Fires and other emergencies do not take breaks.

They can happen at any time, including during the day -- when most volunteer firefighters and first responders are at work, unable to respond.