TRUMBULL COUNTY, Ohio (WOIO) - The number of volunteer firefighters is decreasing in Ohio. But, calls for help are increasing. Forcing chief’s to scramble and find staffing solutions. The state is now stepping in to help.

Fighting fires is in Scott Bower’s blood.

“I am a fourth-generation here at Southington. Dates all the way back to my great-grandfather,” said Bower.

Bower, now the chief at Southington Fire Department in Trumbull County, is tasked with overcoming a nationwide volunteer firefighter shortage.

“Across the state, we have been seeing a decline in volunteers over the years. When I started, we had 33 volunteers and ran a little over 300 calls. Today we run over 600 calls and have 11 volunteers,” said Bower.

His department relied solely on volunteer firefighters until last

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