Local volunteer fire department sees a decline in applications

COALMONT, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — With field fires and burn bans in effect there is a need for local volunteer fire departments now more important than ever.

So far this year, Louis Township Volunteer Fire Department has gone on 159 calls and last year they went on 252 calls showing that the demand for local volunteer fire departments is still much needed.

The Lewis Township fire and rescue is struggling with getting applications and finding younger people to join the volunteer fire department.

“They don’t know what to do either," said Don Hixon, Fire Chief for Lewis Township. "We put the word out and we try to recruit we have we have different things that we can get from the state to help with recruiting retention. They’re just not there."

Hixon, who has been with Lewis Township for 18 yea