Lt. Mike May, public safety officer and Warren volunteer firefighter, works around the clock. May said the main challenge in the department is how time consuming it can be. 

   After working 12-hour shifts, people tend to dismiss a fire dispatch call. He said most fires can be handled by truck operators, but they have to treat any fire like it is a big one.  

   May said over the years people have been very appreciative of their time and hard work. He has even been called out during Christmas and Thanksgiving over the years. 

   “It’s very rewarding to save people who are thankful for what we do,” May said. 

   With 15 years of experience, he has witnessed two fatalities, and he said seeing that sticks in your head for a long time.

   With 36 years on the force, Chief Tony Howard said the most important thing to know is how to approach a fire and how to control it. Every fire has to be approached with caution. 

   Howard said the area only has 25 active volunteer firefighters and needs a handful more. Most of the crew works in town and they are self-employed. Only about 50 percent attend most of the fires. 

   Howard said these are the steps to join the force: 

1.       Interested persons can pick up form at the fire station on Main Street in Warren.

2.       An Advisers Board will do a background check.

3.       Then, volunteers will take a Civil Services Board Test, which is a personal interview.

4.       The City Council approves the volunteer,

5.       Shortly after the first of the month, all the fire fighters vote on new volunteer nominees.

6.       If approved, the new volunteers will go to classes, get certified and start helping fight fires. 

   In February the department received a grant for a truck that they have needed for five years. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rule Development gave Warren a matching grant. The city will give $100, 000 and the Department of Health will match the amount. 

   The new truck will have easy access to fires with foaming and water compensation on the front of the truck. It will also allow more pressure for maximum force to fight fires.