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Volunteer in the New Year

Putting others first

By Don McGlynn dmcglynn@theabingtonjournal.com
Reporter/Photographer

DALTON - Every firefighter, as part of his or her job, puts personal safety aside in order to help others. Most of the men and women of the Dalton Fire Company Station 5 also do it for free.

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The Dalton Fire Company is located at 109 S. Turnpike Road, Dalton.

Abington Journal Photo/ Don McGlynn

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From left, volunteers Anthony Ancherani and Kelsy Miller check the air packs.

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Dalton is one of many fire companies across the country whose department is made up almost entirely of volunteers. All of Station 5 firefighters have full-time jobs and donate their free time to help keep the area safe.

Each member is equipped with a pager that alerts whenever an emergency occurs, and anyone available makes his or her way to the station. The station is happy with the group of volunteers they have working for them but members explain they always welcome more volunteers.

“The one question I hear a lot is, ‘What kind of person does it take to be a fireman?’ ” said First Assistant Chief Ray Melnikoff. “And the response I give is always: If you were sitting on your couch and your neighbor came over and said ‘My husband’s out of town, and my furnace isn’t working, can you come over and take a look at it?’ If you would go over and look at it and try and get it running, you’re the person we’re looking for.”

“That’s all it takes: just a willingness to help someone,” said Fire Chief Ron Stacknick.

The process of becoming a volunteer is fairly easy: pay a visit to the fire station to fill out an application and then complete a training program, for which the station will pay. After that, individuals can complete additional training, but the amount of time a person wishes to participate or number of hours he or she chooses to volunteer at the firehouse is completely up to him or her.

“Whatever time anyone can give us, we’re grateful for it,” said Stacknick. “Even if you could just give us a half hour; if we had 10 people volunteering a half hour a week helping to keep up the station, that would be great.”

Members of Station 5 understand that actually getting on the truck takes a special person, and it’s not something everyone is up for, but explained that fighting fires is only part of what happens at the station.

EMT training is also available for those who would like to work on the ambulance. The station always needs help with upcoming fundraisers and a number of other projects.

“It’s important for people to realize it’s not just going out on the trucks and dealing with the fire and the blood, it’s also the maintenance of the building, too,” said Melnikoff.

“For example…we need professional help as much as anything. If there’s an attorney with some free time, come on down and check us out and give us some advice.”

“Whatever you do as a profession, we could use that talent here,” said Stacknick.

Stacknick and Melnikoff added that this need for volunteers isn’t something that just exists in Dalton; it’s a challenge most fire departments are facing. They urge anyone with time to go out and volunteer at their local fire department.

For details, visit www.dfcfire.com or visit the station at 109 S. Turnpike Rd, Dalton. The best time to visit is Tuesday between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. when the station holds weekly training. But there is always someone on hand to answer questions.