06/19/2026
“To imagine a rural community without volunteers is to imagine something simply unrecognizable.”
This observation, from “Declining Rates of Volunteerism in Alberta and the Increasing Threat to Rural Municipalities,” reflects the essential role volunteers play in rural communities.
Volunteer firefighters are a key part of that foundation, and they play a critical role in ensuring fire safety in rural communities. Yet many municipalities are facing ongoing challenges in recruiting and retaining volunteers.
With Resolutions 1 24S and 5 24F, RMA members are calling for increased provincial support to help municipalities maintain local fire departments and adequately compensate volunteers. This would include increases in the Fire Services Training Program budget, as well as increases in tax credits for volunteers. Doing so would help municipalities procure updated equipment and fairly compensate volunteer firefighters for their dedicated community service.
Specifically, Resolution 1 24S also calls for government collaboration with partners such as the Fire Underwriters Survey assist municipalities in addressing declining fire department services.
Learn more and read provincial and federal government responses to RMA’s resolutions:
1-24S: https://vist.ly/58akw
5-24F: https://vist.ly/58akv
Read the “Declining Rates of Volunteerism in Alberta and the Increasing Threat to Rural Municipalities “ Volunteerism Report: https://vist.ly/58akz
