Волонтерский спасательный отряд в Криттендене ищет новых помощников, чтобы избежать слияния с пожарной службой

CRITTENDEN COUNTY, Ky. — A local emergency management group, the Crittenden County Rescue Squad, has operated for nearly 50 years entirely on volunteers. Now, the group is asking for more volunteers to serve the community. In the early 1970s, the rescue squad began as a civil defense radio rescue club using Army surplus equipment. Over time, it evolved into a branch of local emergency management. Compared to the five local fire departments, the squad handles land searches, water rescues, and auto extrication. The squad remains a separate entity from the fire departments. While the county provides $5,000 annually, 90% of its $25,000 budget comes from donations. The annual fundraiser for 2026 will kick off Thursday, Oct. 8, and will continue for the remainder of the year. The rescue is asking for a minimum donation of $25. Founded in 1977, Don Arflack was one of the original members of the rescue squad. After 50 years of service, Arflack currently acts as the rescue chief and has been leading the volunteer group for 35 years. He said the rescue squad faces many kinds of difficulties. "We're kind of unique in the situation that we're one of the few counties in this area that probably has a rescue squad that does all the extrication for the county," Arflack said. "Fire departments respond, but they don't have the extrication gear." Arflack said the volunteer-based rescue group has many different people from the community who want to help their neighbors in crises. All volunteers receive specialized training for real-life scenarios, such as boat operations or using extrication tools. "I've got a guy that's a barber. I've got people that work at rock quarries. We've got some medical people. We have housewives," he said. However, Arflack added that throughout the last few years, fewer people volunteer. He said he fears if volunteerism declines, the future of the squad could transform. "As the newer generations come, you see fewer and fewer people willing to volunteer," he said. "I'm worried about that. I truly am. With the lack of people stepping up to volunteer, people willing to give their time and effort, I'm really worried about what could happen in the future." If recruitment doesn't improve, Arflack said the squad may be forced to merge with the fire department or transition to paid professional services. While Arflack understands some people would appreciate being paid for their services, he said the county currently cannot afford to do so. "There may come a time when this department will have to merge with the fire department," he said. "There are some cities that have some people on their department, on their fire departments, that are paid with a majority of volunteers. All of our departments are all volunteer. But in the future, it will be harder to get your certifications." Arflack said the squad has roughly 30 volunteers, one of them being 23-year-old Jonathan Jacobs. Jacobs works full-time for the fire department, but devotes some of his time to volunteering for the rescue squad. While he's only been volunteering for a couple of months, he said the resources the rescue squad provides are crucial to the county. "In a county like this, there ain't really an option for the county to be able to pay people to help," Jacobs said. "Everybody needs volunteers, especially for around here."