by Meg Rindfleisch
TRUMANSBURG, NY- While the number of volunteer firefighters has steadily declined over the past 20 years, the Trumansburg Fire Department shows no sign of a lack of dedication or interest in its members.
According to the National Fire Prevention Association, the number of volunteers has decreased by 72,300 members. Tom Ambrose, assistant chief of the TFD, believes that Trumansburg is an exception to this trend.
“We are kind of an anomaly to that statistic,” Ambrose said. “We have a good core of people. Our numbers have remained pretty solid.”
With a population of roughly 1,500 people, Trumansburg has a decent sized fire department, according to Ambrose. The TFD has 52 members on its 2009-2010 roster, with 30 emergency medical technicians.
“You know, this is Trumansburg,” Ambrose said. “The populations isn’t that big and to have 30 certified EMTs is astronomical.”
The process to become a volunteer firefighter or EMT requires a time commitment ranging from 78-140 hours of training. Many small towns, according to Ambrose, are not capable of receiving state certification programs in their area. Tompkins County is providing local fire departments with this certification.
“State certifications are right at our doorstep,” Ambrose said. “It’s a great thing to have this close to us.”
Yet, training and certification are not the most important aspect of being a volunteer fire or rescue person for many volunteers. The ability to give back to the community and the comradery are what matter most.
“The best part is helping people out that are in distress,” Joseph Bailey, a 16-year-old volunteer, said. “I just get along with everyone here.”
Laughter and jokes filled the Trumansburg station as volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians prepared for a night of rescue training on Wednesday. They poked fun at each other, even teasing the younger members as they put on their harnesses. Laura Keefe looked to her fellow volunteers with a grin.
“Working with this close-knit group, these people become a different kind of family for me,” Keefe said. “It’s nice to be part of this community and give back this way.”
Keefe, who has been a member of the TFD since 2001, volunteers with her husband, both former military officers. She said their love of adventures and thrills are what initially attracted the couple to becoming volunteers.
“We’re both so adventuresome,” Keefe said. “We had always been moving around and were never part of a community. It’s nice to finally have that.”
While attending to fire and rescue calls takes an emotional toll on volunteers, Ambrose said that knowing he’s helping out his neighborhood is worth the hardship.
“I hear the address on the call, and I know who it is,” Ambrose said. “It’s trying when you’re fighting a fire in a house you know. But when I get there, I’ll be able to help.”
Below, Assistant Chief Tom Ambrose explains why volunteer EMTs and firefighters at FDT are truly exceptional
