GENE WARNER
Bufalo News

Richard "Rocky" Ralicki joined Doyle Hose Company No. 1 in 1950, during an era when potential recruits were knocking on the door, clamoring to be volunteer firefighters.

Different era?

Heck, Harry S. Truman was president.

"We had 100 members, and we had a waiting list of maybe 25 to 30 people wanting to join," said the 81-year-old Ralicki, still an active member of Doyle No. 1.

Now the volunteer fire company in Cheektowaga has a total of 59 members, and while it's still thriving, answering some 800 calls a year, it's looking for new members.

That's why Doyle volunteer company and at least two dozen other area fire departments participated in this weekend's Recruit New York program, the first statewide initiative to attract more volunteer firefighters.

Tiger Schmittendorf:
Recruitment & Retention Tools

Potential recruits, along with their kids, fired up hose lines to knock down bowling pins, used a Jaws of Life tool to break into a wrecked car and rode on a ladder platform at the firehouse Saturday. The event continues from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at the fire station, at 2199 William St.

Local fire officials say there are 94 volunteer fire companies in Erie County, with about 5,000 total members. Attracting some 400 to 500 new members each year, these volunteer companies aren't in the dire straits that some people claim, local officials said.

"Certainly, while the total number of volunteers [is] down on both the national and state levels, Doyle 1 and others like them are still fully capable of providing a high level of service to their community," said Tiger Schmittendorf, deputy fire coordinator for Erie County Emergency Services. "There's certainly a distinction between wanting and needing volunteers. Most departments are still in the positive position to 'want' volunteers."

But there's no denying that the ranks are thinning in local volunteer fire companies.

"We need the numbers," Doyle No. 1 Fire Chief Charles "Chip" Schnurstein told a few potential recruits Saturday morning. "Every fire company needs firefighters."

Schnurstein said Doyle No. 1 answers about 21/2 calls per day, a large majority of them EMS calls. The chief provided a sample of what volunteer firefighting is like, as he showed potential recruits a video on Firefighter Boot Camp.

"Once folks see for themselves what it's like to walk in the boots of a volunteer firefighter, we hope that this will spark their interest in helping the community by joining Doyle 1," he stated.

So why are volunteer fire companies having a tougher time attracting new recruits?

Members cited a variety of reasons, including more couples working two jobs, more parents driving their kids to and from activities and maybe a growing reluctance by some people to give back to their community.

"It's not just [people] my age," said Brian Sas, a 27-year-old Doyle No. 1 member. "We have a tough time attracting people in their 40s. It's not just generational. It's the community in general."

"In today's society," added Scott Hoerner, 40, another Doyle No. 1 member, "it is an easy out: 'I don't have time to give back.' "

Sas explained why he joined Doyle No. 1 about three years ago.

"I'm a Cheektowaga resident, and I wanted to have a purpose, to find a way to provide service to the community," he said.

Sas also cited the excitement and challenge of each call, while Hoerner mentioned the sense of accomplishment and the priceless education he's received.

And Schnurstein talked about the chance to save lives.

"That payback alone is immensely rewarding," the chief said.

Several statewide fire associations teamed up to create Recruit New York, a push for more volunteers.

"They are essential for a number of reasons, including the fact that volunteers live in the communities in which they serve, which greatly enhances response times, and their volunteer service saves taxpayers millions of dollars every year," said David Jacobowitz, president of the Firemen's Association of the State of New York.

Local fire officials pointed out that while firefighting isn't for everyone, volunteering can be. Skills ranging from auto mechanics to accounting could be valuable to an individual fire department.

Once they make the contact, potential recruits could get hooked. For life.

Ralicki, the 61-year veteran of Doyle No. 1, was asked how long he plans to be an active member.

"I guess until I die," he replied.

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April 10, 2011