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Firefighters value history of volunteerism
For more than 40 years, the Associated Firefighters of Arizona (AFFA) has been
helping volunteer fire departments throughout the state, and as a charter
member, the Safford Fire Department has been with them all along.
Safford firefighters have served in various roles in the organization since its
inception, with six rising to the rank of president of the nonprofit
organization.
Safford firefighters have served in various roles in the organization since its
inception, with six rising to the rank of president of the nonprofit
organization.
Irvin Talley, who served with the Safford Fire Department (SFD) from 1947 to
1988, was instrumental in getting the AFFA started in 1964. He was president of
the organization in 1967.
Since then, Dick Bingham, Van Talley, Chief Mike Rhodes and Steve McGaughey have
served as presidents of the organization. SFD firefighter Chris Murphy is the
<current> president.
Bingham said he couldn't remember one time in the organization's history when
there wasn't at least one Safford firefighter serving in an official capacity
for the AFFA. He said it is that kind of dedication that keeps the spirit of
volunteer firefighting going.
Only volunteer firefighters can be members of the AFFA, and as more cities go to
paid departments, the organization is losing members. In fact, Murphy was
promoted to the top of the organization only after the sitting president
resigned when his department started paying its firefighters.
"We need to be protected -- as volunteers -- probably more than paid
firefighters do because we don't have the cushion of being full-time paid
employees," Murphy said.
The AFFA monitors legislation at the state level to make sure nothing is passed
that could hurt volunteer firefighters. The AFFA also represents state volunteer
firefighters on the National Volunteer Fire Council, which monitors legislation
at the national level.
Rhodes said another way the organization benefits volunteer departments
throughout the state is by providing scholarships to the Arizona State Fire
School. Rhodes sits on the AFFA scholarship committee.
Through dues and donations, the AFFA pays for eight volunteers to attend classes
offered at the fire school. The school puts on about 30 classes every year,
teaching various techniques and tactics used for fighting fires in different
situations.
The organization also sends two firefighters to the state's wildland fire
school.
"One of AFFA's main objectives is to get money into individuals' hands who need
to go to that school," Murphy said.
Murphy said the organization also provides equipment, like breathing systems and
protective clothing, to departments in need.
Murphy said the AFFA plans to sponsor two basic courses in Graham County,
teaching two courses people must take before they can become firefighters.
McGaughey said the AFFA has spent roughly $10,000 developing the classes.
"We spent a lot of money getting the curriculum started, accepted, accredited
and approved for college credit," McGaughey said.
"That program will probably produce paid people for someone else, but it still
may produce some volunteer firefighters."
The division between paid firefighters and volunteer firefighters concerns the
members of the all-volunteer SFD. In addition to taking away members and dues
from the AFFA, Safford firefighters don't like the public's perception that paid
firefighters are better equipped or more professional.
"Somehow, people equate paid with qualified or paid with quality," Murphy said.
He said it is hard to justify going full-time to the taxpayers because it will
greatly increase the budget without providing any additional coverage.
McGaughey said he doesn't know if he would enjoy being a paid firefighter. He
said he loves fighting fires, but fears that would change if it became a
full-time job.
There is the basic spirit of volunteerism Bingham spoke of earlier, but he, too,
said it boils down to the love of the job.
"Most of us just do it because we have smoke in our lungs and we can't get it
out," Bingham said.
Courtesy - Eastern Arizona Courier 11/04
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