"Inadequate Fire Protection" Deterrent To Economic Development In Rural Areas

Inadequate fire protection services in rural areas in Illinois could be another deterrent to economic development, according to researchers at the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs (IIRA) at Western Illinois University.

"Public services like fire and police protection, infrastructure maintenance and development and education are elements that enhance the quality of life of a community," said Norman Walzer, director of IIRA. "Inadequate services, usually caused by lack of resources, can propagate themselves, because new residents or businesses will not locate or develop in such a climate. This maintains the downward cycle."

According to William McCamey, research associate with IIRA, need for fire protection services in rural areas fluctuate due to weather conditions.

"Because of lower populations, rural districts receive fewer calls than their urban counterparts, which usually have more consistent usage annually," said McCamey. "However, rural districts can have unusually busy periods due to a dry season where there are more grass and brush fires."

McCamey also states that emergency services provided by rural fire protection districts are vital to saving lives. "According to federal studies, more than one-half of fatal traffic accidents occur in rural areas and victims in rural accidents are three times more likely to sustain serious injuries than in urban areas."

Walzer and McCamey believe that these vital services that help protect the lives and properties of residents are in danger because of the declining tax base and the difficulty in recruiting and training volunteers.

"Because volunteers (71.2 percent) make up the majority of fire protection district personnel in Illinois, recruiting and training have become the major priority," said McCamey.

"Volunteers need training. However, with the changes in lifestyles and work commitments, potential volunteers may not wish to spend the time in training. This could lead to districts downgrading their training requirements just to recruit people which adds to a further erosion of the quality of service."

"The fire engine can be a symbol of community solidarity and protection," said Walzer. "Volunteers, from all walks of life, work together to protect the community by finding solutions to problems and keeping costs down. With public resources stretched to the limit for a variety of needs in rural areas, state and local officials need to work together to find ways to provide high quality services." •

(EDITOR'S NOTE: Further information regarding fire protection districts including governance structure, services, staffing and training is available by calling McCamey).

Page 16 / Illinois Municipal Review / September 1992