Holbrook Fire Chief Cary Simpson reported that the volunteer department has three new firemen who have completed required classes, but additional volunteers are still needed.
Simpson offered an annual report to the Holbrook City Council on Jan. 13. He noted that there has been interest in volunteering from community members, but it has been difficult to retain those volunteers due to uncontrollable circumstances such as changes in employment or moving out of the community.
“We’ve had six applicants in the last six months, but have only been able to hang on to one,” he explained.
Due to the difficulty of finding and retaining volunteers, the fire department has created a reserve program for retired firefighters. The reserve program is primarily designed to provide adequate fire coverage during regular business hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, when many of the regular firefighters are unavailable due to work obligations. Simpson noted that a large number of the regular crew work outside of the city limits and cannot respond to calls in a timely manner. For fires that occur during those times, or when not enough regular firefighters are available, the reserve crews will be called upon to provide assistance.
Over the course of the past year, there have been a total of 57 fire calls, for an average of one call about every six and a half days. In addition to fire protection, the firefighters also provide other services, such as fireworks for high school football games, graduation, rodeos and the city’s Fourth of July celebration. Simpson pointed out that the crews also volunteer time and money to bolster community causes such as fundraisers for sports teams and community facilities.
The fire department also offers safety programs to students and in the upcoming year plans to provide local businesses with assistance in creating emergency plans. Simpson explained that he has also been involved in the creation of a new fire chief association for communities along the Interstate 40 corridor.
“We worked together and wrote a grant for a trailer with Jaws of Life and stabilization materials,” he said. “We didn’t get it, but we plan to try again this year.”
Simpson’s main goal, however, is to get the department fully staffed.
Mayor Jeff Hill noted that volunteerism is down across the country, but volunteers are necessary for Holbrook to thrive.
“There is a need for volunteer firefighters,” he said. “I would encourage anyone who’s at all interested in serving to contact any of our firemen or visit city hall.”
