As Volunteer Appreciation Week unfolds across the nation, it’s a powerful reminder to stop and recognize the dedication, sacrifice, and heart of the individuals who keep our communities safe — especially those who do so without a paycheck or expectation of reward. Here in Lookingglass, Oregon, our very own Lookingglass Rural Fire District (LRFD) stands as a shining example of what volunteerism truly means.

Technically a Combination Department — But Built on Volunteer Power

While LRFD is technically classified as a Combination Department due to the temporary presence of one paid staff member funded through a federal SAFER Grant, the heart and soul of the department remain volunteer. That single paid position is entirely grant-funded and is only guaranteed while the grant lasts. Once the SAFER funding ends, that position will go away unless other sustainable funding is secured.

The vast majority of LRFD’s operations — emergency response, training, equipment maintenance, and community outreach — are powered by a team of dedicated volunteers who give up their personal time to serve others.

Everyday Sacrifices, Extraordinary Service

These volunteers give up evenings, weekends, holidays, and time with their families — all for no monetary compensation. Instead, they serve for the experience, certifications, paid training, and most importantly, the fulfillment of serving their community. They respond to fires, medical calls, vehicle accidents, and more — often at the most inconvenient and unpredictable hours of the day and night.

Imagine Calling 911 and No One Shows Up

That’s not just a scary thought — it’s a growing concern in many rural communities. If departments like LRFD cannot maintain enough volunteers, or if funding runs dry, the reality is that someone might call 911 and have to wait… or worse, no one might be available to respond at all.

A Cost-Saving Service That Can’t Be Taken for Granted

Volunteer fire departments save communities millions of dollars every year. The services provided by LRFD, with its limited budget of around $80,000 annually from property taxes, would cost exponentially more if fully staffed by paid firefighters. That budget covers a 70-square-mile district, plus an additional 90 square miles of initial response area. The economic value of these “free” services is huge — yet volunteer departments across the country are struggling to stay afloat.

How You Can Help

This Volunteer Appreciation Week, we urge you to do more than just say thank you:

• Volunteer: If you’re able, join us. We’ll provide the training — you bring the heart.
• Donate: Every dollar helps fund gear, fuel, maintenance, and training.
• Advocate: Talk to your neighbors, your local leaders, and help spread the word about the vital role volunteer departments play.

We cannot afford to take these services — or the people behind them — for granted.

Volunteer firefighters are the backbone of emergency response in communities like Lookingglass. They are neighbors helping neighbors, often behind the scenes, with no fanfare and no paycheck — just a deep sense of purpose. And while we honor them this week, their commitment lasts all year long.

Let’s return the favor — with support, with funding, and with action. Because if our volunteers stop showing up…

Who will?

Fox,Justin

Asst. Chief/Training Officer/Recruit & Retention Coordinator