Plum considering stipend plan for volunteer firefighters

PLUM, Pa. — Fire departments across Pennsylvania are struggling to find volunteers but one local borough is considering a plan to boost its numbers.

Plum could be among the first in our area to pay volunteers for their service.

The payments would come through a stipend program. It would pay firefighters $75 for a 4-hour daytime shift.

The money would come from the borough’s fire fund.

Since 2000, the number of volunteer firefighters in Pennsylvania has been cut in half.

Most volunteers are middle-aged or well into their retirement years.

Some departments have junior firefighters training programs to encourage younger people to sign up.

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