Our fire company and
emergency medical service, like most other volunteer agencies,
engages in a continuous struggle to attract new volunteers. We
print our pleas for help in newspaper editorials, we cajole our
friends and neighbors at social events, we hand out flyers at
Charter Day and other events. We hear from many people that they
have always wanted to volunteer, but then comes the follow-up:
"I'm sorry, but I just don't have the time to volunteer. I'm too
busy."
I was thinking about this
at our last worknight (every Monday evening, our members perform
routine maintenance and get in some informal training from about
7:30pm until 9:00pm). I looked around the firehouse and I saw
one of our members checking the oil on a firetruck. This guy is
an executive with a pharmaceutical company who has a family with
young twins. I then looked over at another one of our
volunteers, a young man who works two jobs, is an avid golfer
and softball player, who spends time with his steady girlfriend
and yet still finds a few hours a week to commit to the fire
company. Another of our members, an EMT, is a sales executive
who has four athletic children who he drives to hockey games,
lacrosse games and baseball games. Somehow, he finds a few hours
a week to go out in the ambulance to assist his neighbors. I
looked across the apparatus floor at mothers, fathers,
grandparents, little league coaches, business people, tradesmen
and students and I wondered: "Are our members really so unique?
Are we the only people in our community who have the ability to
work, play, raise our children and still find some time to serve
as firefighters and EMTs?"
I don't think this is the
case. I believe that the only difference between our members and
those who's only excuse is "I just don't have time", is that
we've made the time. There are plenty of valid excuses
not to volunteer. To be sure, firefighting and EMS is not for
everyone. But for those who have always dreamed of becoming an
EMT or a firefighter and who have held back for no other reason
than "I'm too busy", I urge you to give it another look. Come
down on a Monday night and talk to some of your neighbors who
also lead busy lives. You might be surprised at how easy it is
to find the time. The time you spend is time that will always be
something you will be proud of. Time that makes a difference.
The difference could be a
life saving difference. We do it...can you? Shut off the TV, one
night and come visit us. Thanks!
Chief Edward J. McMahon
Basking Ridge Fire Company No. 1 & First Aid Squad
