Eggertsville Hose Company Sounds Alarm Over Critical Volunteer Shortage

The Eggertsville Hose Company on Main Street is facing a quiet crisis. The volunteer fire department, which provides critical fire and EMS response to a large portion of southern Amherst, is operating with its lowest active member count in twenty years. In response, the company is launching a massive spring recruitment drive. Fire Chief Robert Reynolds addressed the community's concerns in an open letter published on the department's website this week. "We are responding to over 1,500 calls annually, but the burden is falling on a shrinking group of dedicated individuals," Reynolds wrote. "If we do not bolster our ranks soon, response times for medical emergencies and fires will inevitably suffer." The department is seeking residents aged 18 and older to train as interior firefighters, exterior scene support, or emergency medical technicians. All training, gear, and certification courses are completely funded by the department. To attract new members, the fire company will host an open house and barbecue at their station on Saturday, April 4th, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Attendees can tour the apparatus, try on turnout gear, and speak directly with current volunteers about the time commitment required.