UPDATE: The volunteer fire department in Pemberton, Minnesota, is on the verge of closure, but the community is stepping up in an extraordinary way. Officials confirmed that just one week after announcing the urgent need for fire department volunteers, interest surged significantly, with the town now close to meeting its required numbers.
City Clerk Kathy Grinnell revealed the alarming situation faced by Pemberton’s fire department, which currently has only five active volunteers but requires an additional 10 to 12 to maintain operations. In a proactive effort, Grinnell mailed notices to residents living within 15 miles of Pemberton and utilized social media to spread the word about the urgent volunteer shortage.
Within a week, the response was overwhelming. Grinnell stated, “We had a lot of rough moments, a lot of despair and discouragement. I got so excited that this turned around in one week. It’s a beautiful thing.” As of now, Pemberton has received four solid applications and has been informed that four members from the neighboring Waldorf fire department plan to join their team.
The implications of the fire department’s potential closure are severe. Grinnell emphasized that response times would drastically worsen, leading to potentially dangerous situations. “Everything would need to be changed if our fire department closed… It’s heartwarming to see the community wanting to save this fire department,” she said.
The crisis is not unique to Pemberton. Other small towns in south-central Minnesota are also scrambling to recruit volunteers. Fire Chief Bill Fitzloff of St. Clair reported being down two firefighters and warned that 12 of his current firefighters could retire at any time. In Wells, Chief Guy Kimpton echoed these concerns, noting that recruiting efforts are increasingly difficult, with very few applications coming in compared to previous years.
The need for volunteers is critical. Fitzloff lamented, “It’s tough to get the younger generation to volunteer.” He shared that training requirements often deter potential candidates. “People don’t have the time like they used to. It does take a lot of time to be a volunteer firefighter,” he said.
Despite the challenges, the rewarding nature of the role is evident. Kimpton recently honored five firefighters with lifesaver awards following a successful medical response to a heart attack. “It’s very rewarding. People are looking for ways to give back to their community,” he stated.
However, if small towns cannot secure enough volunteers, they may need to rely on countywide fire departments, which could lead to longer response times and potentially life-threatening situations. McDonough warned, “What will happen in Pemberton, if the department goes away, when it comes to the EMS side of things, seconds matter. Instead of it being a five-minute response, it turns into a 20-minute response. That can mean life or death.”
Fortunately, the community of Pemberton is showing resilience. Grinnell is relieved by the recent surge in interest, stating, “We had to put it out there and really get people thinking about how important this is. It’s worth saving. It’s the glue that holds the community together.”
As Pemberton’s fire department fights to stay afloat, the collective spirit of the community shines through, proving that there are still many who are willing to serve and protect. For now, the urgent call for volunteers has been met with enthusiasm and hope, but the challenge remains. Every moment counts.
