Fire Fatigue for Volunteers
By:
Updated: April 17, 2007
After weeks of fighting fires and working full time jobs, some Northwest Arkansas volunteers are feeling the effects from a fire fatigue.
Dry and windy conditions across Northwest Arkansas have made fighting fires intense.
Richard Wynne, Assistant Fire Chief Avoca: "As far as the month goes this has probably been a record setter."
Chief Wynne says his 17 man crew usually runs 25 calls a month. Within the 1st two weeks of January they`ve already exceeded that amount. Last week, some fought 7 fires in just 7 days.
Wynne: "Its pretty tiring on your body and on your lifestyle. Physically its demanding."
Two thirds of Avoca`s volunteer department work other full time jobs. Most are fire fighters in larger neighboring cities. But they also have families. So volunteering becomes a balance between helping others and spending time with those closest to them.
Dusty Qualos, Avoca Fire Fighter: "Its hectic, especially having a little boy and a wife. You may have something planned. You may be on your way into town but if you`ve got a fire, you`ve got to go."
And the Avoca Fire Department will continue to make runs because they say it could mean life or death. Fire fatigue has become a reality but its not something these volunteers will allow to get in the way.
