A decline in volunteer firefighters across Ohio is raising concerns about emergency response capabilities, particularly in the state’s rural communities. With roughly 70% of Ohio fire departments relying on volunteers, officials caution that the shortage could lead to fewer trained personnel during critical situations.

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The issue is especially evident in Athens County, Ohio, where only two fire departments employ full-time firefighters. The remainder of the county depends entirely on volunteer crews. Athens County Emergency Management Agency Director Teresa Fouts-Imler stated that the region had double its current number of volunteer firefighters during major flooding in 1998. Today, local departments must frequently rely on assistance from neighboring counties, which can lead to longer response times.

Fouts-Imler noted that having active volunteers is essential for successful emergency response, emphasizing the need for personnel who can respond when severe disasters strike local communities.

To address the statewide shortfall, the State Fire Marshal’s office has introduced several initiatives aimed at recruitment and retention. The agency has distributed grant funding to volunteer fire departments, provided free training, and established an online recruitment portal to connect interested individuals with local fire departments.

State Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon highlighted that funding and recruitment remain the two main challenges facing emergency services. In the year since the state’s recruitment portal was launched, nearly 2,000 people have submitted inquiries, resulting in 130 commitments to volunteer. Reardon described the initial response as an encouraging first step toward rebuilding volunteer levels across Ohio.

Source: NBC4 Columbus — Original report

Wararka Af-Soomaaliga

Yaraanta Dab-demiyeyaasha Ohio oo Halis ku ah Jawaab-celinta Miyiga

Hoos u dhaca ku yimid tirada dab-demiyeyaasha mutaddawiciinta ah ee gobolka Ohio ayaa dhaliyay walaac xooggan oo ku saabsan awoodda lagaga jawaabo xaaladaha degdegga ah, gaar ahaan deegaannada miyiga ah. Qiyaastii 70% waaxaha dab-demiska ee gobolka Ohio ayaa ku tiirsan dadka iskood u shaqeeya ee mutaddawiciinta ah.

Dhibaatadan ayaa si awoodeed uga muuqata deegaanka Athens County, halkaas oo ay ku yaallaan oo kaliya laba waaxood oo dab-demis ah oo leh shaqaale waqti buuxa shaqeeya. Qeybaha kale ee gobolkaas ayaa gebi ahaanba ku tiirsan mutaddawiciin.

Agaasimaha Wakaaladda Maareynta Xaaladaha Degdegga ah ee Athens County, Teresa Fouts-Imler, ayaa sheegtay in intii lagu jiray daadadkii waaweynaa ee dhacay sannadkii 1998-kii, ay lahaayeen tirada mutaddawiciinta hadda jirta oo laba jeer ka badan. Hadda, waaxuhu waxay inta badan kaalmo ka raadsadaan deegaannada dariska ah, taas oo keeni karta inay dib u dhacdo waqtiga looga jawaabo xaaladaha degdegga ah.

Fouts-Imler ayaa sheegtay in helitaanka mutaddawiciin ay tahay mid muhiim u ah guusha jawaab-celinta xaaladaha degdegga ah. Waxay xustay in masiibooyinka ka dhacay deegaanka dariska ah ee Perry County ay muujinayaan halista ka dhalan karta haddii daadad noocaas oo kale ah ay ku dhataan Athens County.

Si wax looga qabto dhibaatadan ballaaran, Xafiiska Taliyaha Dab-demiska Gobolka Ohio ayaa bilaabay dadaallo dhowr ah oo lagu qorayo dibna loogu soo kabsanayo mutaddawiciinta. Dadaalladaas waxaa ka mid ah bixinta deeqo dhaqaale oo lagu taageerayo waaxaha mutaddawiciinta, tababarro bilaash ah, iyo abuuritaanka madal internetka ah oo isku xaysa dadka danaynaya iyo waaxaha dab-demiska ee ugu dhow.

Taliyaha Dab-demiska Gobolka, Kevin Reardon, ayaa sheegay in maaliyad-siinta iyo qorista shaqaaluhu ay yihiin labada dhibrood ee ugu waaweyn. Sannadkii u dambeeyay tan iyo markii madasha internetka la furay, ku dhawaad 2,000 oo qof ayaa soo xiriiray, halka 130 oo ka mid ah ay si buuxda u aqbaleen inay noqdaan mutaddawiciin. Reardon ayaa tilmaamay in kasta oo arrintan aynaan hal habeen ku xallin doonin dhammaan dhibaatada, ay tahay tallaabo hore oo dhiirrigelin leh.

Xigasho: NBC4 Columbus