As we have been reporting for quite some time, volunteer fire departments in Warren County are in crisis mode.

The situation is coming to a head in Starbrick, where a decline in membership means the department is often out of service during the day and partners with the North Warren Fire Department as part of an automatic dispatch agreement in which both stations respond when one is called out. Starbrick is being hit the hardest right now, but the declining membership in volunteer fire departments is truly a countywide issue.

It was a good start to have nearly 100 people attend a Save Our Fire Departments meeting last week in Starbrick. There were some interesting ideas discussed — including reaching out to veterans who may be looking for an organization that is structured like the military that doesn’t require a full-time commitment.

The need for associate members who can help with non-emergency response duties in the departments was also highlighted.

We wonder if it’s possible for some of those office-type duties like fundraising or paperwork or even custodial duties can be pooled among departments to keep some of those duties off of the responding firefighters and EMTs.

Another meeting will be held at 7 p.m. April 11. We hope turnout is strong — particularly among those who aren’t already volunteering. It’s worth your while to participate, because if volunteer fire departments are forced to close because of a lack of interest it will mean a paid fire department or paid EMTs and the higher taxes that come with them.

Last week’s meeting was only the first step.

This is the time for not only the community to come together with talk, but with action.