Can Volunteer Fire Departments Be Saved? One Department Says Yes

Volunteer fire departments across the country are struggling — but they aren’t doomed.

In Indiana, Utica Fire & Rescue rebuilt its department almost overnight through leadership change, cultural reset, and aggressive recruitment. Within months, the department added dozens of members and began formal training pipelines.

The lesson is clear: culture drives participation.

People volunteer when they feel valued, trained, and part of something meaningful. Numbers alone don’t fix staffing problems — leadership does.

Volunteer fire departments can survive, but only if they adapt, modernize, and prioritize culture over tradition.

Article Links: https://www.firerescue1.com/volunteer-fire-service/well-be-waiting-for-the-call-reorganized-all-volunteer-ind-fd-ready-for-calls