11/09/2026
Everybody wants a fire truck in their driveway when they need one. Fewer people ask what it takes to get it there.
Someone left dinner.
Someone climbed out of bed with work in a few hours.
Someone’s spouse handled bedtime alone. Again.
Then those same volunteers spend Saturday selling fish dinners to help pay for the equipment they need to protect you.
There’s nothing wrong with a fundraiser. There’s something wrong with treating it as the entire funding plan.
“Thank you for your service” deserves follow-through.
Support the budget. Help with the fundraiser. Ask what you can contribute. You don’t have to wear turnout gear to take some weight off the people who do.
And department leaders: give people a place worth volunteering. Respect their time. Train them well. Handle the bullying. Enthusiasm won’t survive being treated as disposable.
An unpaid firefighter still costs someone something. Usually their family.
Support them before you need them.
~ Medic Humor
