.jpg;w=960)
Having previously been involved with fire services as a volunteer in my community, I would like to put some observations out there in regards to the various volunteer fire stations.
A volunteer is a person whose heart and soul are firmly linked with the cause he supports. He or she are people who strongly feel that giving back to a cause accomplishes a great service to their community regardless of the size of that area.
Within their capabilities, they want to be an active part to better their neighborhoods. They, for the greater part, are proud of their towns and feel blessed to be able to give back to that which they are part of and cherish.
In the case of a volunteer firefighter, it is always way above that sole task of going out and putting out that fire. It is also often doing those food drives to help food kitchens. It is doing a money-raising boot drive to help those in need for other essential needs. It is showing and participating in community events such as Canada day, Remembrance Day and even Santa Claus parades.
It is going around and helping address safety concerns, handing out that smoke detector or even offering safety advice.
It is letting people know we have your back and safety in mind. We are there for you.
If you would listen to these people and ask to help curb costs, you would undoubtedly be surprised as to some of their ideas. The gamut of their skills runs very deep as it is not just dealing with the crisis at hand it is also sharing their level of expertise in so many other areas.
So let us remember one of the extreme disservice we do if and when we close any volunteer stations and that I believe is an erosion of those tools which help nurture a caring community. What is the real price tag tied to that?
Jean-Yves Bujold
Greater Sudbury