JEFFERSON COUNTY, IL (WSIL) -- Being a volunteer means giving of your time freely with no expectation of monetary compensation.
So why do people become volunteer firefighters? The job is hard in of itself and to do it without pay takes a special type of person as a pair of firefighters in Jefferson County know, it's not for everyone, but the calling is worth it.
"It takes a special person to be a fireman," said Waltonville Fire Protection District assistant chief Scott Pennington.
Years ago, a firefighter's job was simply to put out fires, but as Pennington says, that's simply not the case anymore.
"Back in 1976 when the Waltonville fire department was formed, they put out fires," said Pennington. "Now in 2023, there's a vast range of calls we have to respond to and deal with."
So all that adds on top of the amount of training that's needed to be a firefighter and Pennington says people these days just do have the time to spend to dedicate to the craft.
"The commitment you need to be a firefighter whether it's career or volunteer is very high," said Pennington. "Everybody is busy in life. There's more to do in life these days."
The Waltonville Fire Protection District is an all-volunteer unit with 11 firefighters on staff and Pennington says a 12th will be added soon.
"You always want a bunch," said Pennington. "We've had as many as 20 [to] 22 at one point."
The numbers are down, but the problem isn't exclusive to Waltonville as many departments throughout are struggling to fill those key positions, including with volunteers.
"[We're] seeing a shortage of firefighters," said Robert Huntman, Captain for the Jefferson Fire Protection District.
When Huntman became a firefighter in 2004, he said it would be nothing to have 15 to 20 people wanting to be a volunteer that year. Nowadays, things are different.
"Now you're getting two," said Huntman.
Even with the added training that's put on fire departments, Huntman says it's worth it if it means saving lives.
"We don't want to train until we get it right, we want to train until we no longer get it wrong," said Huntman. "When the time comes to where we have to go to someone's house, we want to be able to give them the best opportunity we can give them."
And Huntman says that's where more people are needed, serving the community in their time of need.
"It takes someone with a big heart to be able to do it," Huntman said. "Put yourself in the person's shoes.
"Would you want two people showing up of 30 people showing up if it was your house? Get out and volunteer and help your community."
