Jamestown, ND (KCSi-T.V. News) — The Jamestown Fire Department is hosting a “Volunteer Firefighter Recruitment Presentation” on March 26th, 2013 at the main fire station at 7:00pm.

On Friday’s Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2, Chief Reuther suggested that interested candidates bring along a spouse or significant other to hear the presentation and be part of the decision making process.

He added that qualifications to be a city fire fighter initially includes be at least 21 years old, and a City Of Jamestown resident.

The fire department over the past few years has found it hard to recruit new volunteer firefighters.

He said Jamestown is not the only fire department that is experiencing the decrease in volunteer firefighters, noting fire departments in the western part of the state.

Chief Reuther pointed out that upcoming retirements at JFD will also necessitate the recruitment of additional fire fighters.

The likelihood exists that with the addition of a fire station in southwest Jamestown to accomodate Jamestown’s expansion, that more firefighters will be needed.

There are a number of reasons why I believe it’s been so difficult to recruit new firefighters.

It is a big commitment for the firefighter

Family commitments

Training has increased tremendously; this is mostly due to the fact of keeping the firefighter safe.

At this time, the city fire department roster is (4) firefighters short of the full roster of (38). He stressed that the city fire department need, in no way is hampering the fire fighting efforts of the JFD.

He said the goals are to hopefully sparks some interest within the community and recruit some new volunteer firefighters.

The following topics will be presented at the March 26th recruitment presentation:

What we do as a fire department

Type of calls we respond to

Types of training we do

What it takes to be a firefighter

Tours of the fire department