Pennsylvania Officials Raise the Alarm on Fire, EMS Personnel Shortage

Fire and EMS officials in Pennsylvania voiced their concerns about the shortage of fire and EMS personnel during the Fire Expo at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex during the weekend of May 17-18.

The event was sponsored by the Lancaster County Fireman's Association. Officials who attended the expo said they hoped the event would raise the alarm about the significance of the fire and EMS personnel shortage.

“There is a shortage of fire and EMS personnel, and coming to a show like this, you get to see what firefighters do. You get to see the equipment that they use and even get a feel for it,” said the chief of the Fire Expo, Jacques Creamer, in a statement shared with CBS 21 News. 

Creamer said approximately 38 fire companies and 12,000 people attended the event.

Connor Flaherty, a volunteer firefighter and EMT, explained to CBS 21 that he believes the shortage exists because people aren't aware that they can volunteer to provide these services. “A lot of people are under the impression that firefighting is a career job,” Flaherty said.

Firefighter Jack Klinger told CBS 21 News that he thinks the shortage is due to “something that's dying off because a lot of people want to get that reimbursement,” Klinger said. “They want something in return.”

Klinger said that volunteer fire companies need people's support in many ways. The Office of the State Fire Commissioner has set up a webpage on the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania website that details ways individuals can get involved in supporting their local volunteer fire companies. Visit the webpage to learn ways you can help in your community.