DOVER TOWNSHIP, Pa. -- They may look like a couple of guys hanging out, but when a call comes in, the volunteer firefighters at Dover Township Fire Department jump into action.
Volunteers aren't paid, and therefore, not easy to come by. "More and more departments are failing to even respond on calls," said Dover Township Deputy Chief Brian Widmayer.
Volunteers at Dover Township Fire Department are getting an extra incentive: they can live at the department rent-free. The unique living situation is getting more people to sign up for the job at a time when the number of volunteers is critically low. Widmayer has lived at the station since 2007. "Sometimes I wonder why do I do this, and how do I do this," he laughed. "Then other days I'm like this is exactly why I'm here."
Up to 14 volunteers can stay in the dorm-like rooms at the fire station. Ten currently stay there now, mostly younger men. This makes up about half of the station's 20-25 active volunteers. There's also an area for women to live, although there are none staying there. The program helps keep the station staffed around the clock, 24/7.
"We kind of looked at it as, the building is going to going to be heated and cooled, and have electricity and everything, whether people are here or not. So there's no use to charge them to be here," said Widmayer.
All of the volunteers have full-time jobs, or go to school. They also come in with some experience. "We require a minimum of exterior firefighting to move in, and they have to be signed up for interior. Other than that any other training we'll send them to," said Widmayer.
In his early 20's, Brandon Schnur has lived in the dorms since 2011. "At the time I was living with my parents and looking to get out of the house and experience something new," he said. His goal is to land a paid firefighting job. "The knowledge, and the friendships, and the relationships that I've built, I definitely say it's been a giant resume builder for me."