Sometimes, we’re not sure people really understand the gravity of the volunteer firefighter recruitment challenge facing Warren County until it literally hits home.

It was only a little more than three years ago that the Starbrick Volunteer Fire Department faced the tough choice of either growing or closing. The community, to its credit, came together. The Starbrick Volunteer Fire Department was among those that responded to a fire on Mathews Run Road in February. There was a time late in 2023 that it was up in the air whether or not the department would be able to respond to such emergencies three years later.

We knew then, back in 2023-24, that Starbrick was the first, not the last, volunteer fire department that would face this type of crossroads. The demographic and societal pressures on Warren County’s townships and boroughs are universal. It’s why there is so much talk amongst the county’s emergency services providers about solutions to the EMS crisis. They have known for a few years that we are collectively headed for a system breakdown.

Sure enough, the Sugar Grove Volunteer Fire Department faces a similar issue. Department Vice President Tina Kerr-Garris said the department currently has six EMTs, six ambulance drivers, and five firefighters to don an air pack to provide 24/7 coverage. During the day the department is reduced to two EMTs for daytime weekday coverage and one or two drivers. Weekday firefighters capable of donning aSelf Contained Breathing Apparatus are sporadic, according to Kerr-Garris. The department also needs help with a host of behind-the-scenes jobs: administrative support, fundraising, community outreach, logistics and even helping to clean the fire hall.

In short, the volunteer firefighter recruitment crisis is now a reality in Sugar Grove. Those who want to be part of a solution can attend a community town hall meeting at the fire department on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Now is the time to help by attending Wednesday’s meeting. Speak now. Volunteer now. Tomorrow may be too late.