SHELBURNE, Vt. -
The Shelburne Volunteer Fire Department stands full force when at 40 members but right now they're running about 15 short.
That's one of the reasons they held a open house Tuesday to get those in the public interested and they were greeted with success. 10 people came to the event and 2nd Assistant Chief Jim Buell expects almost half of those to join.
"With our membership campaign, looking to get five or six new people to come out and join the fire department is huge and a big turnout for us," Buell said.
There aren't many prerequisites.
"Say ‘how can I help?' Maybe there's something you can do as a firefighter maybe there's something you can do on the civil side.
While volunteer firefighter departments will take any help they can get they prefer the type that will charge into a fire and potentially help save a fire from destroying too much like one did in Shelburne earlier this week.
No one was home or injured when it happened. But as part of the community Jim Buell knew who he was fighting that fire for.
"We know everyone that lived in that house. So while it was devastating to hear that but also it's gratifying too. When you can talk to the people afterward and they try and thank you for saving as much as you could.
Since firefighters can't predict what time a fire will strike they say the more volunteers they have the better.
"Anytime we can get more people no matter what the time it's a huge benefit to the fire service."
Volunteer Fire Departments in Williston, Colchester, Hinesburg and Charlotte are also looking to add more members.
