North Carolina fire departments struggle to train, recruit volunteers

CHERRYVILLE, N.C. — Following the recent deaths of two local volunteer firefighters who were in car crashes while responding to rescue calls, Eyewitness News asked if volunteer firefighters are getting enough safety training.

[RELATED: Firefighter's body to return to Rowan County Friday after deadly crash]

There is no statewide mandatory training for volunteer firefighters in North Carolina.

Cherryville Fire Chief Jeff Cash is the state director for the National Volunteer Firefighters council. He explained that while more training would be beneficial, it could create another challenge for recruiting.

"It's a double -dge sword. I agree we need more training, but it's so many time demands on our volunteers," Jeff Cash said.

His brother, Capt. Chris Cash, conducts emergency driver training for the department. He said the training takes 60 hours for new volunteers. They learn that they must always follow traffic laws, and they don't have to have flashing warning lights. That training is not mandatory.

"I think it should be mandatory. It may change a whole lot of things, things like this may not happen as often," said Chris Cash.

In North Carolina, each department sets its own requirements, often based on insurance policies.

In Cherryville, leaders ask for 300 hours for state certification, but admit, it's their biggest struggle

“A lot of people in leadership positions across the state feel if we made it mandatory we would lose even more volunteers," said Jeff Cash.

Cash said volunteer firefighter staffing numbers are down 20 percent nationwide and that departments in North Carolina can't respond to every call.

Cherryville is one of 15 local departments benefiting from a new grant to boost recruiting. He said their priority is making sure they have enough volunteers willing to put their lives on the line.

"The expectations are phenomenal and keep going up," said Jeff Cash.

Jeff Cash said they're fitting in more training by putting more courses online. Online courses make training more accessible for volunteers, who want to serve the community but also have full-time jobs and families.

Jeff Cash said 68 percent of firefighters across the state are volunteers.

While training isn't mandatory, Jeff Cash said most departments do their best to train volunteers at the same level as career firefighters.

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