The whole point of a volunteer fire department is you are only needed when you are needed. You don't sit for 12-hour shifts, waiting for something to happen. Our paid fire department finds things to do, all in the name of public relations, as they know their existence must be justified. So many calls, but how many fires? No, the beach patrol could not be volunteer, as they are needed and are essential during hours of bathing. They go home at night; volunteers respond 24 hours a day. Without the ambulance, the paid dept. would be dead in the water, and that can be bid out.