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George Washington, Sam Adams, Alexander Hamilton, James Buchanan, Millard Fillmore, and my grandfather all had one thing in common. They all served as volunteer firefighters. As recently as the year 2000, over 75% of our nation's firefighters were volunteers who answered the call at a moment's notice, leaving their families and choosing to put their lives on the line to serve their fellow citizens.
The volunteer firefighting tradition goes back to ancient Rome where brigades were organized to protect a city that was once largely built of wood. In the United States, the first regular volunteer fire department was organized in the city of Philadelphia in 1736. The idea quickly spread throughout the colonies and the existence of these groups saved countless lives, as it continues to do today.
Currently, across the state and in Washington County, we see an aging volunteer firefighter population.
It is harder and harder to attract young people to serve their communities in the same way their parents and grandparents did. In 2018, there was legislation proposed in the Ohio house to provide volunteers with certain tax credits in order to make service more attractive. Unfortunately, nothing was passed and subsequent efforts have so far failed.
Summer is the season during which our local fire departments hold many of their fundraisers. I encourage you to support these men and women who give selflessly of their time and talent. If you cannot attend a social, make a call to your local fire department/EMS and give a donation or volunteer in some way. It may just save your life.
Kevin J. Ritter
Washington County
Commissioner