WOOD COUNTY, Ohio — Across Northwest Ohio, and much of the nation, volunteer fire departments are facing a troubling decline in membership, a trend that is putting rural communities at increased risk during emergencies.
In Wood County, Ohio, where many fire departments rely heavily on volunteers, the problem is particularly acute. Of the 23 active fire departments in the county, the majority depend on volunteers to respond to fires and medical emergencies. But recruitment and retention are becoming increasingly difficult.
Jeff Klein, Director of the Wood County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) and a nearly 30-year veteran of the Perrysburg Fire Department, said the shortage is driven by several factors. “People want to volunteer, but real-world demands on their time and finances often make it impossible,” Klein explained. He noted that the cost of gear alone — roughly $5,000 per firefighter — can limit how many volunteers departments can properly equip, putting a strain on already tight budgets.
Response times are critical in fire and EMS work, and having personnel close to the scene is essential for community safety. In rural areas of Wood County, volunteers often serve as the closest first responders, making their availability crucial.
The issue is not new, but it is worsening. In 2022, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine formed a task force to address the decline in volunteer firefighters statewide. This initiative has led to steps such as appointing the state’s first volunteer fire service coordinator in January 2024 and waiving fire marshal academy fees for volunteers beginning in 2023.
Despite these efforts, Klein said much more needs to be done. “The legislature understands the problem and is working on engagement and retention strategies,” he said. “But the reality is, reversing this trend will take a lot of time, and I’m not sure everyone realizes the scope of the challenge.”
One local success story came earlier this year when the Rossford Fire Department transitioned from an all-volunteer force to a fully staffed professional department. However, Klein acknowledged that such a transition is not financially viable for many smaller departments.
As volunteer numbers continue to decline, rural communities in Wood County and beyond face an uncertain future when it comes to emergency response — a situation that calls for ongoing attention and creative solutions.