Shortage in firefighters puts public safety at risk
Description
Volunteering is at its lowest level in decades in the United States. In some communities, this marks a possible crisis: rural hospitals are struggling and could close, and emergency relief dollars are harder to come by. Volunteer firefighting is a lifeline for many small towns. We check in on the efforts to increase volunteerism — especially where it's needed most. Our guests:
- Bill DiFabio, 3rd assistant chief of the Branchport Keuka Park Fire Department
- Matt Kelly, EMS captain of the Branchport Keuka Park Fire Department and EMT for Yates County Ambulance
- Rebecca Case, firefighter/EMT with the Branchport Keuka Park Fire Department and junior at Keuka College
- Alvin Leid, firefighter with the Branchport Keuka Park Fire Department
- Lily Stewart, firefighter/EMT with the Branchport Keuka Park Fire Department and sophomore at Keuka College
---
Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member today, support the show, and help us close the gap created by the rescission of federal funding.
---
Connections airs every weekday from noon-2 p.m. Join the conversation with questions or comments by phone at 1-844-295-TALK (8255) or 585-263-9994, email, Facebook or Twitter.
Connections is also livestreamed on the WXXI News YouTube channel each day. You can watch live or access previous episodes here.
---
Do you have a story that needs to be shared? Pitch your story to Connections.




