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Bob Bowmaster deserves our praise.
For 41 years, this gentleman has put himself at risk serving as a volunteer firefighter for his local and neighboring communities in our region.
We write about Bob -- who was highlighted in photos on Page A1 in this past Thursday's edition of The Express community newspaper -- to bring attention to the dedication and service of ALL of our volunteer firefighters.
Waking up in the middle of the night, rushing to the station and heading out to a house fire or accident -- in single digit and below-zero temperatures.
As a volunteer.
Why?
To help their neighbors.
To help strangers.
It is selfless service.
And it exists amid a troubling trend: Since 2000, the number of volunteer firefighters in Pennsylvania has dropped from 60,000 to 38,000, according to the Pennsylvania Fire and Emergency Services Institute.
The dwindling number of fire and emergency medical services personnel is a nationwide problem, but it's perhaps worse in Pennsylvania than in most other states.
Just two states rely on volunteer firefighters more than Pennsylvania does.
Unlike their paid counterparts, nearly 97% of Pennsylvania's firefighters are volunteers. The national average is just 70%, the institute says.
And today, most volunteer firefighters in this region are middle-aged or well into their retirement years.
It's a wake-up call to our elected leaders to put their heads together -- with our volunteer and paid fire departments -- to find solutions to reversing the trend.
And there are solutions.
Meanwhile, thanks Bob and thanks to all of the volunteers who care enough to make sacrifices for others.