Here's a surprising fact: Of the 1.1 million firefighters in the United States, about 780,000 are volunteers. Roughly a third of the population is 1 by mostly- or all-volunteer fire departments.
Also 2, perhaps. Sometimes they have to pay for their own gear.
I 3 this because I volunteer as a firefighter in Durango, Colorado. I responded to more than 50 calls in 2014, everything from 4 to car accidents. In that period, I spent close to $1,000 on optional gear not supplied by my 5, things like higher-quality flashlights, knives, and better gloves, which make my 6 easier.
Yesterday, a 7 was introduced in Congress that would give a significant tax break to those who volunteer their time as 8 responders. I hope it passes, not because it will put some money in my pocket 9, hey, (that'll be nice) but because it will ease the financial burden on volunteers and acknowledge their time commitment. I believe it will 10 more people to help.
And we 11 that.
In 12 areas where population density is low and calls for fire and EMS services are relatively rare, it just doesn't 13 to have career firefighters on the staff 24/7 (全天候). 14, volunteers are used to fill in the 15. We are ready to put our regular lives aside to help someone on what is the 16 day of their life. We have likely never met before, and might never again, but it doesn't 17 in a crisis. Without volunteers, the whole system would collapse.
There's a T-shirt that's popular among us, reading “For Pride, Not 18.” We volunteer because we know our 19 need us. We don't need a small tax break. Without one, we'll still put on our gear when the alarm goes off without any 20. But we'd appreciate one, and if it encourages more people to join us, it's worth it.
