A nationwide, longstanding drop in volunteerism across all interests has so impacted the fire service that federal grants have been awarded to boost volunteer firefighter rosters. Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue has begun its second four-year grant-funded position aimed at increasing volunteerism. Division Chief Rob Torrey started work in January at the fire district, bringing with him over 30 years of experience in the fire service. His area of responsibility is training and volunteer recruitment and retention. The grant actually covers both MCFR and the Dallesport Volunteer Fire department, said MCFR Chief Bob Palmer. Torrey has already dived into the process of streamlining training processes for new firefighters — both volunteer and paid — and making it easier for officers to use the system.