SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - A third of all the certified firefighters that are trained in South Dakota each year are from Minnehaha County.
But rural fire rescue and emergency medical services leaders told the Minnehaha County Commission today that they are struggling to find volunteers.
The President of the Minnehaha County Fire Chief's Association Mike Harstad says the majority of the the current volunteers are between the ages of 50 and 70. The volunteers are aging out and departments must recruit more 20 and 30 year olds into their ranks.
Harstad says three years ago, the Association received a FEMA grant as part of a staffing, recruitment and retention program. He says the money has paid for recruitment commercials.
He says Minnehaha County averages between 25 and 35 certified firefighters that are trained every year across the 14 agencies. Harstad says most departments across the state are lucky to get two or three trained every year.
Rural ambulance leader echoed the need for volunteers, saying volunteerism has dropped substantially and training is getting more expensive.