Of all the calamities that could occur in one’s lifetime, fire may just be the worst.

Research conducted by the National Fire Protection Association for 2016 showed the following: a fire department responded to a fire every 24 seconds; one civilian death occurred every 2 hours and 35 minutes while fire injuries occurred every 34 minutes.

In 2016, there were 475,500 structure fires with 3,390 civilian deaths and 14,650 civilian injuries. One structure fire was reported every 66 seconds.

In the mean time, the number of volunteer firefighters has decreased, leaving a gap in the community’s fire response system.

Volunteer fire departments across the country are trying to recruit new firefighters to answer the calls when they come in.

Fires can occur at any time during the day or night. The fire department also responds to automobile accidents and other disasters.

A volunteer must be able to give up some of his or her free time, no matter when, to answer the call.

Response time is of the utmost importance and can mean the difference between life and death.

That is why it is so important to have an adequate base of volunteers to handle the calls.

Innovating, and sometimes daring, ideas have come up across the country to alleviate this situation. One idea is being pushed by Upper Macungie Director of the Bureau of Fire Grant Grim.

Grim and Deputy Chief Doug Gernard, have come up with the idea to have responders live at the fire station.

The idea is to have college students reside at the fire station while enrolled at college or university.

They would be allowed to live there rent free in exchange for helping at the station and responding to fire calls.

By having someone at the station, the response time would be cut and the equipment could be on the road sooner.

Anyone interested would fill out an application for the fire company to review.

If selected, the applicant would take Fire Fighter One training to be qualified.

The training lasts around 200 hours.

This program is open to men and women.

Cetronia Ambulance Corps is currently trying this option and it appears to be successful.

Grant money from individuals, state and federal sources is available to host these programs.

This would be located at the Fogelsville Fire Station.

Currently, two bunk beds are available with room for more.

The sleeping room is also the study room where the students can work at their classes.

Other amenities will be added such as a wide screen TV and some type of game such as a pool table or foosball.

To qualified students, this could be a big saving on college tuition since they wouldn’t have to pay any room and board.

This concept would start in the fall.

The idea has the support of the board of supervisors.

Volunteerism is slowly dying out. People are involved in too many other things that take up their time.

However, this is one volunteer program that should be supported and should have residents involved.

It is not a glamorous job – it has its hazards.

Nationwide, firefighters lose their lives every year. Many more are injured fighting fires.

Dedicated individuals are needed at the local fire station to answer the calls when they come in – at any time of night or day.

Fire is final. When there is a fire, response time is of the essence.

As someone who has gone through the loss of a home, this reporter knows what can happen when a fire starts.

This reporter’s house was burned to the ground in 2000. Nothing remained standing except the chimney and foundation.

By the time the fire company arrived at the scene, the house was completely engulfed with flames.

Living in a rural area, some distance from the fire company, means longer response time.

Also, the fire occurred around 5 a.m. when many people are sleeping. This also cut into the response time.

The plan put forward by Grim and Gernard should be supported and every effort made to recruit new members to the fire company.