There are countless organizations in the Westlock area that rely on volunteers to function, and it’s safe to say that every single one of them would welcome new members.
And the range of activities these volunteers engage in, and the range of benefits they in turn provide to the community, can’t be understated.
There is the food bank, feeding the hungry and disadvantaged among us. There are service clubs, raising money for all kinds of projects in our community. There is the thrift store, giving old items new homes and raising money for local charities in the process. There are the 4-H clubs, imparting knowledge to a new generation of farmers and contributing to countless community endeavours in the process.
The list goes on.
But it’s safe to say that not one of those volunteers in those organizations are out there quite literally saving lives and risking their own in the process.
The men and women of the local fire departments take volunteerism to the next level, and while it’s likely not a single one of them does it for the recognition, they deserve to be recognized for being willing to get up in the middle of the night just because there’s a chance they can save the life or property of someone they’ve never met.
It is a big concern, then, that the town fire department is short on members. The impact could be immeasurable if they don’t find volunteers to put on the bunker gear and ride in the trucks.
To our knowledge the county’s fire departments aren’t facing the same kind of membership concerns the town is, which is a good thing. But one must bear in mind that it is for the most part the town fire department that responds to collisions on the highway, with the gear and the training to get people out of wrecks. The town’s department has lost some members in the last little while, for one reason or another, and if they can’t fill their ranks it could cost lives.
Residents of Westlock and the surrounding area are well known for giving of their time and even their money when the need arises.
Well once again, the need has arisen, and it would be a shame if nobody answers the call.
