Firefighting departments close in some US states amid lack of volunteers

Volunteer firefighter departments are closing across some U.S. states as recruitment and retention plummet, with New York reporting volunteer numbers at their lowest level in 40 years. About 65% of American firefighters are volunteers who work part-time alongside regular jobs, but the national volunteer force has contracted sharply—from 827,000 in 2008 to 635,000 by 2023, according to available data. This decline threatens critical fire response capabilities in rural and suburban communities that depend almost entirely on unpaid personnel. Officials warn the shortage could leave some areas without adequate emergency coverage, forcing consolidations or full department closures. The trend reflects broader challenges in recruiting volunteers for hazardous work while competing with other demands on people's time.