DUBLIN, Ga. — Laurens County needs more volunteer firefighters, and county commissioners are hoping a new financial incentive will help them get there.
Laurens County is Georgia's third largest county by land mass, and last year, Fire Chief Joshua McCard said firefighters responded to 4,759 calls.
Last month, the county approved a new stipend that pays volunteer firefighters $25 for each call they answer.
"Obviously, we're nowhere near what they're worth, as far as their response, their dedication to us, and what they do for this county," McCard said.
When he started in 2009, he said they had about 150 firefighters. The county's grown by a population of about 1,000 people since.
Volunteer firefighter Daniel Yarbrough said they respond to all kinds of calls.
"From a stumped toe, to a sick call, a wreck with entrapment, to a fire," Yarbrough said.
He's been volunteering as a firefighter since 2007. He has a day job working in Warner Robins, but his real passion is helping people all across Laurens County.
"It's very fulfilling I feel like. And I feel like that's among the rest of the volunteers that's the general consensus among all of us. It's fulfilling and we just enjoy helping people," Yarbrough said.
In addition to the stipend, county commissioners approved paying volunteers $400 for required training. Along with the stipend and training pay, the county also approved paying firefighters $10 per hour of working station duty, for up to 50 hours per year.
"I feel like me, along with the other volunteers, we truly appreciate it. Because we're not here for the money, but it was something that it was- it was very helpful," Yarbrough said.
It's a way to help those, who are always helping others.
"Be able to give back to them for the dedication that they give to the county. Because without them, we're not a fire department," McCard said.
Laurens County is a combination department. In addition to their volunteer firefighters, McCard said they have 22 career positions.
If you're interested in filling out an application, you can find the link here.