Volunteer fire departments battle blazes, staff shortages

BETHALTO, Ill. - No one really thinks of being a firefighter as a hobby, but that's exactly how Jeffrey Bruns sees it.

"I never see myself unplugged from the fire service," said Bruns. "Once you're in it, it's like a lot of hobbies. You're in it for life."

Bruns started his interest in firefighting when he was just 16 and could join an explorer program. At age 18, he became a firefighter. Fast forward more than a decade later, Bruns is working full-time on the railroad and spending roughly 12 or more hours a week at the Bethalto volunteer fire department where he serves as the president of the volunteer board.

"Keeping everybody plugged in is the big thing because everybody's lives are so busy," said Bruns.

That's partly one of the reasons why fewer people are volunteering, said Bethalto's chief Brian Buhs. He has served with the department for 15 years and just took over as the new chief. He said he's lucky to get paid less than full-time status for his service.

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Lack of funding and real training doesnt help. We need to abolish volunteer fd. The FD needs the same founding as police do.