You were only gone for a few minutes.  You went to pick up your youngest daughter and her friend at the dance academy following their after school lessons.  You’d left your oldest—she’s 13 going on 20—at home alone before while you made such quick pickups…only you’ve never come home to find your house on fire.

What happened?  Where’s my daughter?  Where’s the fire department?  Those questions and more run through your head in seconds.  Finally, after what seems like an eternity you see her in the arms of your best friend who lives three doors down the street.  One question answered.  But where’s the fire department…

Do you know what level of fire protection exists for your community?  Do volunteers from the community staff the fire trucks?  Or is the fire station staffed with salaried firefighters from the city or town or county?  Who pays for the equipment and training so that these brave men and women—be they paid or volunteer—have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to do their job.  Can those men and women do that job safely, effectively, and efficiently so that they can go home to their families after the work is done?

These are questions you and your neighbors should find the answers to before you have a fire or a heart attack or a child stuck in an abandoned well because it’s going to be firefighters who come to your assistance.  The law enforcement agency in your town—be it the police department or sheriff’s office—will have someone there to be sure, but they won’t be there to solve the problem.  For that you’ll need an America’s Professional Problem Solver, a firefighter.  (Since September 11, 2001 it's become fashionable to refer to firefighters as America's First Reponders so that we are more recognized for the role we play in our community.  For me that doesn't do it.  Responders show up: firefighters solve the problem.)

But before you need them, you need to make sure that they will be there and that they have the tools and knowledge to do the job.  Money’s tight everywhere and everyone is feeling the pinch.  I can tell you that volunteer fire departments have always had to deal with “tight money” and times are even tougher for them with diesel fuel selling for close to $5 a gallon in much of the country.  Same is true for fire departments that have salaried firefighters and are funded by tax dollars.  We all have to make decisions about our money and prioritize our spending.

So, how important is it to you for the fire department to show up at your fire?