A task force on Wednesday began work to investigate methods Delaware volunteer fire companies can use to attract more recruits and retain them.
The Volunteer Firefighter Recruitment and Retention and Task Force is set to meet through the rest of this year to look into a decline in volunteer firefighters around the state, particularly among younger generations. A report is due by January.
Jay Jones, president of the Delaware Volunteer Firefighter's Association, said the recruitment situation is not yet "critical" but needs to be addressed before fire companies have to more heavily rely on primarily paid staff members. Currently, the only municipality to have a paid fire department is Wilmington, which is much larger than Delaware's other cities and towns.