Fire Chief plans to recruit more volunteers

The Columbia Falls Fire Department needs volunteers.

Recruitment is the department's main short-term goal in the coming months, says Rick Hagen, the newly appointed fire chief.

Hagen is planning to create new incentives to entice volunteers, not only to attract newcomers but increase the retention among existing volunteers. Keeping veteran firefighters in the station is the main difficulty Hagen faces in the town's faltering economy. It's a problem he's also become familiar with at the Bad Rock Fire Hall, where he's been chief since 1996.

"If you get 10 volunteers, you're lucky to keep one or two around for more than five years," he said.

Despite Flathead County's attempts at advertising for help through public service announcements, volunteer shortages remain a challenge to fire departments around the valley.

"In most cases around this area, one of the biggest things is the employment situation," he said.

Job changes and other personal financial situations can make it much more difficult to volunteer. Columbia Falls volunteers are required to participate in at least 30 hours of training every year, in addition to an average of 20 calls a month.

Local major employers like Plum Creek and Columbia Falls Aluminum Company once provided "good paying jobs, good benefits and a stable environment in which to buy a house," he said. That job stability allowed more firefighters to serve the department longer.

Hagen worked for CFAC for 22 years. As the plant began to close and others couldn't afford to serve, he saw the fire department as an opportunity.

He submitted his application for fire chief after CFAC was nearly shut down.

"I was very happy there," he said. "I had a great job up in engineering. When the first two positions were advertised, I had no desire to apply because I had a perfectly good job. When this one came up, the plant was going month-by-month, and it could be shutting down at any point. I hope this job is more stable than that was."

He was required to complete an application form, a written essay questionnaire and interviews with both the existing volunteers and the selection committee.

Hagen graduated from Columbia Falls High in 1973, and began his firefighting career with the Columbia Falls Fire Department in 1985. He began serving the Bad Rock Fire Department in 1990, and became chief six years later. The experience he gained at BRFD led him to his current salaried position.

He's pulling double-duty at both stations for the time being.

"It's been my department for a long time, I'd kinda hate to just drop it, especially since I still live out there," he said.

Hagen didn't comment on why Columbia Falls has gone through two fire chiefs in the last five years. But he did make clear his department policy. He said those serving on a voluntary basis deserve a fair say in changes he proposes.

"That doesn't mean that they run the department, but they need to know that their input has been listened to," he said. "As long as you explain to them why things are being done, in most cases they're going to agree to it."

He isn't planning any policy changes in the near future — instead focusing on rallying more help. Potential firefighters "have to want to do it," he said.

"I'm looking for someone who wants to help their community, is somewhat self-motivated, and is willing to put in the time to get the training," he said.