OLD FORGE, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Several state lawmakers and local firefighters met in Lackawanna County on Wednesday to talk about how to keep volunteer departments afloat.
The meeting at Eagle McClure Hose Company in Old Forge revealed that many volunteer fire companies are barely surviving.
Finding the money to keep the operation ready on a moment's notice is tough, but it's also difficult to find dedicated volunteers to serve the community.
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"Worst case scenario is, you know, we're resilient. We'll adapt and overcome. We'll continue to do what we need to do, to answer, answer the calls. We have a very can-do type of mindset, but that doesn't necessarily mean that we should continue to operate that way so again bringing awareness of some of the problems and the challenges that we're facing is always important," said Greater Pittston Regional Ambulance Association Vice President and Paramedic Mike Lombardo.
First responders say the next step is to speak before a joint legislative committee in Harrisburg and push for help.
