Whitefish needs more firefighters

Supply and demand are growing more disparate for Whitefish Fire Department, as firefighter numbers dwindle and calls surge.

When Fire Chief Dave Sipe began with the department in 1978, there were 256 calls in a year. Now, there are nearly that many calls during a single month.

At the same time, the department that once had 35 volunteers will be down to about a dozen firefighters at the end of this month when it loses two well-trained and reliable people.

"We're not doing well," he said.

The department has 100 square miles to cover, two stations, increasing population and business demands, and a growing need for trained personnel to handle it all.

The department transitioned from all volunteers to some paid employees a few years ago. There are eight people paid by the city now. Volunteers also earn a stipend of $10 per call.

"We are somewhat demanding because we have to be," Sipe said.

It's too much for some volunteers and Sipe understands that "they have family obligations and job obligations and they can't be here all the time."

So far this year, there have been 132 fire calls and 272 ambulance calls. Last year, numbers went up by more than 200 calls. They increased by at least 100 for each of the prior two years, too.

Sipe said the department needs volunteers who can sometimes work themselves into paid positions.

There are some young, energetic people in the department, Sipe said. Two actually live in the fire hall, rent-free.

Anyone who is interested in volunteering should contact Sipe at 863-2481 to set up an interview.