MAYVILLE, N.D. (AP) - Most fire departments in North Dakota are made up of volunteers, and there are now fewer of them than ever before. About 96 percent of the fire departments in the state are made up of volunteers.
Mayville fire chief Lee Brenna says she was on a wait list to join the fire department in 1988. Mayville had 50 firefighters at the time. Today, there are only 28 firefighters in the department.
As volunteers decline, departments have assisted other towns in emergencies. But that leaves the town that's providing assistance more vulnerable.
Lavon Nelson, who lost his home to a fire in June, says he believe it's important to have enough manpower to fight fires.