The Richfield Fire Department is like a lot of rural departments, staffed entirely by volunteers. Each person in the department is committed to spending time each week training to attain and maintain certifications.
This is in addition to an average of more than 100 calls firefighters in Richfield respond to each year. Some are dramatic structure fires, but many of the calls are low key, such as a call last week to help students at Richfield High School get out of an elevator. It took just a few minutes, but it represented a dozen or more men dropping whatever they were doing — including working at their jobs — to respond.
Providing essential services with a limited tax base is something that local governments grapple with on a regular basis.
his results in a reliance on volunteers.
The volunteers help provide not only immediate help, but also save rural emergency budgets. Departments that pursue training can help lower home insurance costs, which benefit everyone in the community.