Fire department low on volunteers

A long decline in the number of firefighters in the Princeton Fire Department, which is staffed solely by community and University volunteers, has caused some members of the department to worry that they will not be able to adequately respond to fires.

"I'm concerned that the numbers are dwindling and that some of the calls are maybe only answered by one individual," Fire Department Chief Pat McAvenia said. "There have been calls where we've been short on a number of things."

The Department, which prides itself on being one of the oldest volunteer departments in the country, currently has only 36 active members for its three stations serving the entire Princeton Borough and Township. In the 1980s, there were around 60.

McAvenia added, however, "Mostly, for all the serious calls we are getting the guys out. It might not be as many as I would like, but we are getting guys out."

Despite the shortage, University Fire Marshall Bob Gregory said he is not worried about the Department's ability to respond to University emergencies.

"So far it doesn't concern me. The fire chief hasn't personally said there's a problem. At this point, I don't have a concern because they seem to be covering the calls," he said.

Student participation has actually increased since last year, with David Stopher '07 joining the force last spring and three new students applying for a position this year. Also, firefighter Ben Klaber '05, who graduated last year, has remained in the Princeton area and helps out occasionally at the department.

McAvenia said student volunteers are a tremendous help for the station, which actively recruits students during Freshman Orientation week. He said, however, that since students can only volunteer for four years at most, and are gone for holidays and summer break, they cannot commit as much time as community members.

A recent article in the Trenton Times revealed that the population-to-firefighter ratio is highest in Mercer County, in which Princeton is located.

Michael Westrol '07, one of two current student volunteers, attributes the decreasing number of community volunteers to the fact that firefighters tend to be from blue collar backgrounds.

Princeton, he said, has become progressively white collar over the past few years. In addition, he said the blue collar volunteers now usually have to work several jobs to keep up with Princeton's high property taxes, leaving them with less time for firefighting.

Another problem is that most Princeton residents do not realize anyone can join the fire department. "They figure there will be people paid to do that stuff," he said.

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With such a limited number of firefighters, the department sometimes has difficulty responding to the large volume of calls it receives, he added.

"The biggest problem would be false fire alarms in the area," he said. "They're quite extensive in how often they happen and how many calls they comprise. I would say they're over 90 percent of our calls."

In response to their dwindling numbers, the Fire Department has conducted a heavy recruitment drive over the past five years through articles, web publications and signs posted around Princeton.

McAvenia said they are also exploring other options to boost membership, such as a system of paying volunteers a small stipend per call and perks like the decal Westrol received last year, which allows him to park anywhere in Princeton for free.

Westrol said he doesn't volunteer for the benefits, but for the sense of satisfaction he gets from giving back to the community.

"With firefighting, I can get away from the Princeton bubble," he said. "It's given me a lot of friends, the so-called 'townies,' whom I wouldn't have known otherwise. They're just a great group of people."