LAUDERDALE COUNTY, AL (WAFF) -
It's a growing problem firefighters are facing not only in the Valley, but across the country.
Volunteer numbers are down and manpower is limited when it comes to responding to emergencies.
"We need help from the general populous - every department in our area. We're trying to do the best we can with what we have," said Chief Ted Kavich with the Waterloo Volunteer Fire Department.
There's power in numbers, and the decline in volunteers is causing local fire departments to struggle.
"The departments will help each other any way they can. Manpower during the day becomes a critical issue," said Kavich.
He said it's not just a local or state problem; the issue is spreading across the nation.
He said with the economy like it is, less people are feeling compelled or even able to serve their communities.
"The way society is, people are working. It makes it tough. You have to raise a family. You have to support your family," he said.
Kavich said every time a page goes out, the departments in Lauderdale County work together to get the job done.
"There is no picking and choosing. We respond to every call," he said.
Emergency help doesn't just come via fire departments.
"Probably 90 percent of our calls are wreck and EMS calls, and today LEMS and AirEvac has tremendously helped our county speed up the response times throughout the county," said Kavich.
He said he would like to see state officials come up with a plan to lend a helping hand.
"Something in the state somehow - we need to get our legislators to do something to increase our retention for our firefighters."
For more information on how you can volunteer, Kavich said to visit your local fire department in person.
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Fire departments locally and across the nation are searching for more volunteers.
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