Fewer volunteers may soon lead to paid Aspen Fire Department firefighters

In talking with our area fire departments, they are facing the same issue of lack of volunteers though they don't always see the "higher than average number of volunteers responding to calls." To compensate, they've moved to a model of auto-aid where all 285 Corridor departments can and will be called to an emergency situation, but they too have begun discussions on consolidating departments in order to maximize efficiency.

Few Aspen volunteers may soon lead to paid AFD firefighters
Of 8 or 9 people who recently applied, only three made it through the vetting process
By The Aspen Times
July 17, 2017

A dwindling number of new volunteers and aging coterie of current volunteers is forcing Aspen Volunteer Fire Department officials to consider hiring paid firefighters in the near future, fire officials said Friday.

The district, which relies solely on volunteers, recently conducted its most intense effort to recruit new members, which included advertising, Adam said. And while eight or nine people applied, just three made it through the vetting process, said Rick Balentine, fire chief and one of only two people currently paid in the fire district.

Voters likely will be asked to approve a mill levy next year to pay for a department with more paid firefighters, Adam said.

The department currently has 33 volunteers, and Balentine said his ideal number is 42. The system continues to work because a higher than average number of those volunteers respond to emergency calls, he said. Still, Adam said many volunteers are heading toward retirement age, and with fewer and fewer people to replace them, something's got to give.

Denver Post: Volunteer shortage could force Aspen to switch to paid firefighters
Of 8 or 9 people who recently applied, only three made it through the vetting process