LEBANON, Mo. (KY3) – The Lebanon Rural Fire Protection District says the number of volunteer firefighters is shrinking, but the number of calls is increasing. To solve this, the district has come up with a creative solution. <\/p>\n
To keep the district\u2019s 21 firefighters actively fighting fires, it\u2019s calling on you to become the next reserve driver. <\/p>\n
This volunteer position would teach how to drive and operate the fire district\u2019s trucks so the firefighters can focus on putting out fires and saving people who might be trapped inside buildings. <\/p>\n
Because of the rural area they serve, firefighters usually have to leave to refill trucks with water. These drivers can take on that task. <\/p>\n
\u201cWith just driving, they could help our firefighters that are wanting to do more things,\u201d said Chief Daniel Jones. \u201cThey could focus on doing the things, fighting the fires, and going into the buildings or doing what we need to do, versus just driving a truck shuttling water, since that\u2019s what we do a lot since we\u2019re in the rural area.\u201d <\/p>\n
It\u2019s a way people can help their community without putting themselves directly in danger, and it wouldn\u2019t have to take up too much time. As a reserve driver, you could go about your day and be called in when needed. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe volunteer thing is just kind of going away,\u201d Chief Jones said. \u201cThey don\u2019t come like they used to, so we\u2019re trying to think of different things to make it where if someone just wants to come and do something, they can just come in, and we\u2019ll teach them how to drive our trucks, do everything we need to do, and then come in and just drive trucks, that\u2019s it.\u201d <\/p>\n
You have to be 21 years old and attend two trainings and one maintenance shift per month. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s really not much different other than they\u2019re big and heavy,\u201d said Jones. \u201cWe\u2019ve got several driver\u2019s that were kinda scared of doing it at first, and once they got behind there and realized what it was, they enjoy doing it now. No reason to be scared of it. It\u2019s just a lot bigger and heavier, so we\u2019ll train you the best we can.\u201d <\/p>\n
If you\u2019re interested in signing up, you can call the fire district at 417-532-7678 or message its Facebook page<\/a>. <\/p>\n