I just today read an article online in the Herald about the shortage of volunteer firefighters in the area. These brave and devoted men and woman should not be taken for granted. Many towns in New York and New Jersey pay their volunteer a yearly stipend. Some even put this stipend in a retirement plan like a Roth IRA. For each year they serve they get an additional amount. I think it’s a great idea. Most municipalities can afford it. The better the department the lower your fire insurance can be. Stop complaining about the lack of volunteers and do something to get the numbers up.