Topic Dossier
US Fire Departments Face Closures Due to Volunteer Shortages
First article: 22 mar. 2026, 17:00
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Last update: 22 mar. 2026, 17:00
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1 source
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1 article
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Editorial Analysis
Based on 1 source, 1 article
Several firefighting departments across the United States are struggling to maintain operations due to a severe shortage of volunteers. This decline in volunteer firefighters is leading to station closures in some areas, particularly in rural communities that depend on these services for emergency response. The lack of volunteers is attributed to factors such as increased training requirements, time commitments, and a decline in community engagement.Articles about this topic
Foto: The Guardian
Firefighting departments close in some US states amid lack of volunteers
About 65% of US firefighters are volunteers, as New York state says number has fallen to lowest level in 40 yearsOfficials have warned of serious consequences after the number of volunteer firefighters, the bedrock of firefighting in the US, plunged, leading to entire departments to close in some states.About 65% of American firefighters are volunteers, serving in their free-time alongside regular jobs. In 2008 there were 827,000 volunteers nationwide, but that figure dropped to 635,000 in 2023,
Read on The Guardian →