Kurt Christofel of Mt. Lebanon FD

Mt. Lebanon fire chief Kurt Christofel joined the show. Kurt talked about his career as a firefighter and his early start as a volunteer firefighter at the age of 14. He said a chimney fire at his childhood home is what got his interest in being a firefighter. Kurt said fire departments aren’t thought about until they’re needed and said it is an essential service to the communities in any area. Kurt said the volunteer numbers have gone down over the years and the hoops they have to jump through to adjust. How much training is now involved in becoming a firefighter? Kurt shared the cost of things for a typical department and the numbers staggering – a brand new truck can cost up to $700,000. Kurt talked about the funding and some of the ways they can make money for their departments. Kurt pitched an idea to the listeners to donate on Thursday or Friday.