They are one of our most valuable resources.
Volunteer firefighters not only save lives - they save untold amounts of money for every town in Delaware County.
But there is a problem.
There is not nearly enough of them. And that need grows every day.
Simply put, people are not volunteering today the way they did in days past. There are a lot of reasons for that, chief among them two-income families that don't leave a lot of free time for volunteering.
Springfield Township this week joined Tinicum in utilizing federal grant money to do something the township has never done before. That would be hire professional firefighters to supplement the dwindling number of volunteers.
It's something a lot of towns in Delco will likely have to consider.
Unless, of course, they want to consider merging fire services.
Don't hold your breath waiting for that to happen. It's a very controversial topic.
In the meantime, read our editorial on the latest "Cause for Alarm."
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