"Every little bit helps" as the old saying goes, and Cumberland County, Pennsylvania officials are relying on that adage to help avoid major tax increases to subsidize fire and emergency services.
County Commissioners have kicked off the "Cumberland County Thanks Program" their latest attempt to boost recruitment and retention of volunteer Emergency responders.

Developed in cooperation with Sprint, the program provides products and services to emergency service volunteers at discounted rates.

So far twenty-six (26) businesses have signed on to the program -- from Classic Dry Cleaners to Zimmerman's Automotive to the Market Cross Pub. A discount card will be given to the 1,500-2,000 volunteers in the county, entitling them to about 10 percent off most purchases.

"We're also a volunteer organization so we know how hard it is to get volunteers," said Linda Gortner, membership/marketing director for the YMCA's West Shore branch. "We want to give back to the community."

An annual membership at the West Shore YMCA costs a single person $565. With the discount card, that cost shrinks by nearly $56.

Bob Timko, a volunteer firefighter and emergency medical technician for twenty-nine (29) years, says he appreciates every little benefit the volunteers can get.
The county partnered with the Cumberland County Bar Association last year for a program helping firefighters and their spouses prepare wills, living wills and power of attorney paperwork.

"It gives back to the people who do put in the long hours," said Timko, who volunteers with the Fairview Township Fire Co., which answers many calls in Cumberland County and thereby qualifies for the program. "A lot of times they are away from their families or their jobs."

The Fairview Township Fire Co. has about 25 active volunteer firefighters and responded to more than 600 fire calls last year, Timko said. But participation is waning.

"Over the last eight to ten years there have been less and less volunteers," Timko said. "I don't know whether it's a societal change or what but there's been less people coming through the doors."

Jessica Williamson, 19, has two part-time jobs and lives at the Union Fire Co. quarters in the first block of West Louther Street in Carlisle. She first volunteered three years ago and fell in love with the fire company. Still, it's hard to make ends meet. "I think it's a good program." Williamson said. "We could really use all the help we can get. Plus, it's nice to know we're appreciated too."

Sprint underwrote a mass mailing to businesses throughout the county, encouraging them to offer products or services for the program. The company is offering its own discounts on wireless products such as DSL, local and long-distance calling plans and "bundling packets" of services, said Debbie Kaiser, public affairs manager for Sprint.

Even though firefighting is a municipal responsibility, county Commissioner Bruce Barclay said the county can help avoid significant tax increases by coordinating programs to boost volunteerism.

The county created the Emergency Services Action Panel to handle such issues. A countywide recruitment drive is the item on the agenda, Barclay added.