Volunteer fire departments in need of more volunteers
Volunteer fire departments in need of more volunteers
Nearly 70% of the fire crews working in departments across the country are volunteers, according to the National Fire Department Registry. Tom Hanson reports on how that safety net is shrinking due to a growing volunteer shortage.
Read the full article on CBS US
Truth Analysis
Analysis Summary:
The article claims that nearly 70% of fire crews are volunteers, which is not directly supported by the provided sources, although source 3 indicates that 87% of fire departments are all or partially volunteer. The article highlights a volunteer shortage, which aligns with the general theme of the provided sources. There is a slight bias towards emphasizing the negative aspects of the volunteer shortage.
Detailed Analysis:
- Claim: Nearly 70% of the fire crews working in departments across the country are volunteers.
- Verification Source #3: Of the fire departments registered with the National Fire Service Department Census, 87% of them are all volunteer or have some volunteers.
- Assessment: Partially supported. Source 3 indicates that 87% of fire departments are all or partially volunteer, but it doesn't specify the percentage of *fire crews* that are volunteers. The claim is not directly verified by any of the sources, but source 3 suggests a high percentage of volunteer involvement.
- Claim: There is a growing volunteer shortage.
- Verification Source #1: Fire Departments Need Volunteers but Their Numbers Are Dwindling
- Verification Source #2: The campaign also seeks to raise awareness among the public of the need for fire service volunteers.
- Verification Source #5: Napa County Volunteer Firefighters Lack Volunteers
- Assessment: Supported. Sources 1, 2, and 5 all indicate a need for more volunteers and a dwindling number of volunteers.
Supporting Evidence/Contradictions:
- Source 1: Fire Departments Need Volunteers but Their Numbers Are Dwindling
- Source 3: Of the fire departments registered with the National Fire Service Department Census, 87% of them are all volunteer or have some volunteers.