CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Chief Jeff Cash, who represents North Carolina on the National Volunteer Fire Council, travels the country talking about how the number of calls is going up but the number of volunteers is going down -- 12 percent over the last few decades.
Cash said that drop is taking its toll on fire departments.
"It does, across the state, across the region, across the country,” Cash said. “It happens frequently, more and more frequently because they don't have enough volunteers."
That danger also means residents may have to pay more for insurance.
The state rates each fire department on a scale from one to 10, with one being the best.
Charlotte Fire Department is a one and Cash's department in Cherryville was a seven when he took over.
It's a four now and insurance companies base rates on that number.
Most departments in the U.S. are staffed with 85 percent volunteers or part volunteers.
More than 180 volunteer departments are in the Charlotte area.
The Cherryville Fire Department relies on some paid firefighters but has 32 volunteers.
They're responsible for about 5,700 residents and had the most calls in their history last year.
If you would like to volunteer, call your local fire department or click here.
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