Are You a Shark or a Dinosaur? Challenges in the Volunteer Fire Service

In this episode of the Professional Volunteer Fire Department, host Tom Merrill welcomes guest Tim Pillsworth a firefighter/EMT and past chief of Winona Lake Engine Co. #2, Orange Lake (NY) Fire District. They explore how consolidation, duty crews, and embracing new training methods can help departments thrive amid rising call volumes, budget constraints, and shifting community expectations. They also address the challenge of changing local government attitudes toward firefighting priorities and the potential future of paid-on-call crews. This candid conversation urges firefighters and fire leadership to shed outdated approaches and adopt a “shark” mentality versus a "dinosaur" mindset.

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