On March 17, John Raby, president of the Mt. Horeb Volunteer Fire Co., on Elm Street, stopped in at the Township Committee to talk about his concerns about the volunteer company.

"We have a hole in the gut," Raby said, describing the company's membership. He noted the department, which serves the neighborhoods in the northwest part of Warren, currently has 16 active members, divided between members under 21 and members over 45.

"We need members and we need them badly," he added.

Patch visited the Mt. Horeb Volunteer Fire Co. to ask the members about serving as a firefighter, and the members said there's several things people need to know about fire fighting in Warren:

• It's completely done by volunteers. Raby said he's calculated how much it would cost for the township to add professional firefighters and said the town's volunteers save each property owner about $1,200 per year in property taxes.
• Men and women can be firefighters. Mt. Horeb Volunteer Fire Co. was one of the first have women volunteer as firefighters.
• It's a great way to give to the community. All firefighters are proud of their community service, helping to make the community better.
• Training is free. If you're interested in becoming a firefighter, you can receive the training you need and begin helping out. 

If you'd like to know more about becoming a volunteer firefighter—and all four of Warren's fire companies welcome new members—just stop by your neighborhood fire house and talk to the members. The companies meet at 8 p.m. every Wednesday and welcome anyone to visit.