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But she said when bad things happen, such as a fatal fire or car crash, firefighters support one another.
Hazelgrove said firefighters return to the station after a run to return their machinery and equipment, but also to talk about what went well and where they can improve.
After tough situations, firefighters check in on one another to make sure they’ re all right. They also have a support group where they can talk about struggles with work or in their personal lives.
“ Sometimes people think about something that happened years ago, and we’ ll reach out,” she said.
The firefighters said they could always use help from people who want to give their time. Hazelgrove said the department does not have an age limit or physical fitness test but said people should be aware that they might be in hot, tight spaces and should be able to overcome that. But even people who cannot fight fires can help the department, she said.
People who cannot physically do the job still can come to training or maintenance sessions and can help at scenes in a limited capacity or even just with fundraising.
“ There’ s always a place for everybody in the fire service,” she said. Neibert agreed.
“ You don’ t have to be out there fighting fires,” she said.
Braunagel said volunteer departments always have struggled with staffing, but it may have gotten worse because people appear to have less time because they’ re working two jobs or taking care of children or grandchildren. Brown County, especially, may have a tougher time than some other areas because of the higher share of retirees.
42 Our Brown County • Jan./ Feb. 2024