How is the economy affecting the fire service?

I was wondering how the failing economy is affecting fire departments from all over the nation. Also if an increase in layoffs has occured.

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Permalink Reply by Fireyladd - Retired Chief Sharp on March 7, 2009 at 2:19am
In a week economy we have seen a marked rise in Volunteers. Cant explain it but hey! we'll take it. With the rising cost of electricity we expect to see a rise in Flue fire as people move back to burning wood. Hopefully we dont see a rise in Arson related fires as people loose or struggle to pay their mortgages and payments. Tough times calls for tough decisions.
Permalink Reply by anne potter on March 7, 2009 at 2:50am
No lay offs more guys around to go on calls.. Kinda of sad to be the reason is because someguy can't feed his family and can't find a job...
Permalink Reply by Paul Kerp on March 7, 2009 at 3:54am
There have been layoffs around the state of Florida but our area is primarily volunteer, so the major changes that have affected us are funding cuts, we were hoping to purchase some new equipment this year but we may not be able to. There have been some issues like County employees losing the County vehicles and there is talk of some stations losing some of their apparatus but that will effect the quality of service so that may be a touchy matter.

I hate to hear of Fire Fighter layoffs there not enough of us to start with.

Be Safe!
Permalink Reply by Doug on March 7, 2009 at 7:52am
this year our township supervisors cut our budget by 50% our working budget, they no longer pay for our truck insurance, our natural gas for the building. our gasoline for our rescue. cut our money by 1/4. and then demanding more paper trail of our activites.
Permalink Reply by PFC Harmon on March 8, 2009 at 11:30am
Were an all volunteer department and we have been affected in several ways. 1) our membership is down no new members and the ones we have are working two jobs or trying to save money. 2) our donations are way down and since we are mainly run on donations it is really hurting us. 3) The rising cost of utilities. hopefully the economy will get back on track.

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