It's no secret to Fulton Fire Chief Todd Farley it takes more than a few full-time firefighters for a department to be effective.
It also takes volunteers.
"We are considered a combination department," he said. "We have 24 full-time positions, and we are supplemented by volunteer firefighters."
The concept of volunteer firefighters is not new. According to Farley, most departments in the country are either combination departments or volunteer departments. However, many departments have difficulty recruiting volunteers.
"The lack of volunteers is part of the problem in America's fire service," he said. "Across the country, fire departments are struggling to keep volunteers."
A 2014 New York Times article said declining volunteer numbers are a result of the rise of two-income homes in which both parents work. This living situation makes it hard for a volunteer firefighting spouse to respond to emergency calls when the other parent is at work.
"Nationally, there is a decline. I think the big thing is time. There's an increased demand on time when it comes to training and skills development," Farley said. "Also, a lot of businesses used to let firefighters go to calls during the work day. They don't do that anymore."
Volunteer firefighters in Fulton are treated as part of the crew and are given opportunities to save lives, Farley said.
"A volunteer firefighter is a member of the department, just like anybody else," he said. "The training is the same - we make no difference in training between the two. We want to make sure they are confident in what they're doing."
In order to boost numbers and prepare volunteers, the volunteer program in Fulton is being updated to increase training and help the volunteers feel more comfortable in emergency situations.
"We are revamping our volunteer program right now. We want to make sure that they are attending 50 to 70 percent of the extended training," Farley said. "We've got some regulations out there that we are held to."
Farley's updated volunteer training program will also help full-time firefighters, who often rely on the volunteers for support and to feel more secure in the line of duty.
"If they have the right training, then it helps out because you know the guy backing you up knows what they're doing," said David Miller, a volunteer turned full-time firefighter in Fulton.
Training to become a volunteer firefighter involves sacrificing time and energy but is not impossible for the average citizen. All training is provided by Fulton Fire Department personnel.
"To become a volunteer, we will train you," he said. "It takes four months, and you are giving up two nights a week and some weekends."
Although the training covers how to survive in dangerous situations and how to complete all tasks a full-time firefighter would, not all calls involve burning buildings.
"We're there to take care of a problem," Farley said. "Sometimes, all they need is some assistance with the smoke detectors. When you leave those calls, most of us are excited to have helped someone."
For those who wish to pursue a career with the Fire Department, working as a volunteer firefighter can be an opportunity to get experience. Many full-time firefighters start their careers as volunteer firefighters.
"It's where most firefighters start," Miller saod. "A lot of this country is volunteer because a lot of places can't afford the staff."
Gene Nelson, who currently works as a firefighter, was hired as a volunteer nearly 30 years ago and fell in love with the profession.
"I've been here 30 years. I was the first volunteer they hired. I'm the oldest guy here," he said with a smile.
For anyone interested in joining the Fire Department as a volunteer, it is as simple as filling out an application.
"With the city of Fulton, they'd have to put in an application at City Hall. At that point, the chief does a background check and goes through the interview process," said Todd Gray, an engineer with the department.
Gray also said although it's a sacrifice, being a volunteer firefighter is an exciting job.
"It's a very fulfilling job with something different every day," he added.
Farley also encouraged anyone who is interested to apply.
"This is not a gender-specific career field. Women make excellent firefighters," he said. "We encourage anyone who is interested to apply."
This story is the second in a series of three reporter Adam Brake is writing about the Fulton Fire Department. The third story will appear in Friday's edition.