The Chinook Fire Department recently hosted locals to learn how to join the fire department. Chief Kraig Hansen said, "We currently have 17 firefighters (three women and 14 men) on our roster, we need 28." He added, "During the East Fork fire a lot of people helping fight the fire, told me they might like to be volunteer firefighters. We could use 10 new firefighters right now." Six prospects showed up, several with volunteer firefighter experience.

Shortages of volunteer firefighters are not just a local problem. "Wall Street Journal" cited a National Volunteer Fire Council report that found "In cities with less than 2,500 people 30.8 percent of volunteer firefighters are now over 50, double the number in the 1980's." Hansen agreed the need for new volunteers was in part due to an aging crew, noting, "I'd say the average age of our crew is now about 50."

Other reasons for declining numbers in the department include people leaving the area, taking a new job further from the fire house or moving to a new place that makes it impractical for them to make fire calls. Chinook Department firefighters must live in the fire district which basically includes all of western Blaine County.

Hansen described an 'average' year for firefighters in Chinook. He said the department receives about 80 fire calls a year. "Over the last few years," he explained, "there has been an up tick in calls to vehicle emergencies along US Highway 2."

Next in frequency would be wildfires (several current volunteers in the room just returned from a wildfire south of town) and, "we have about one or two structure fires a year." Because most current firefighters work outside of Chinook, the chief said the most difficult fire call to man is "in the daytime during weekdays, weekends usually are not a problem."

To be a volunteer firefighter an applicant must live in the fire district and be at least 18 years of age. There is a background check and a required physical to certify the applicant is "fit to fight a fire." New firefighters have six months to complete the "Rookie Task Book," a set of tasks that must be mastered to be a safe and effective firefighter. To keep their active status, each year firefighters must attend at least six of the twelve monthly business meetings held by the department, complete at least 30 hours of training and respond to a minimum 10% of the fire calls received. Hansen said, "The department provides monthly training and most firefighters easily meet the call minimum."

Even if someone did not attend the recruiting meeting, Chief Hansen said he would encourage people interested in being a volunteer firefighter to give him a call at 945-1352. The "Journal" thanks all the volunteer firefighters in the area and urges folks to look into this important way they can help their community.