INDUSTRY — Farmington selectmen have approved an agreement to provide fire/rescue services to Industry, pending approval by Industry voters at the March 11 annual Town Meeting.

The agreement, which was approved Feb. 14, would be for one year for $30,000, based on the understanding that Industry would continue to budget for operating expenses related to the operations, staff and equipment at the Industry Fire Department.

Fire Chief Anthony Howard hopes the agreement is a step in the right direction.

The Fire Department wasn’t part of the discussions with Farmington, the chief said. “I was a little upset at first. It sounded like we couldn’t do the administration. That is something we have always done. I don’t know the specifics.

“Something needs to be done,” he said Wednesday. “This isn’t just an Industry issue, it is all across Maine, and even 90% of the United States probably in rural communities. It is hard as a volunteer department.”

People are not volunteering for their communities, Howard said. People who had been involved are moving away, retiring, there are no new people stepping up, he said.

Firefighting has changed dramatically in the last 25 years, Howard said. People can’t just sign up and go, there is training required, he noted. “People can’t afford to take two weeks for training, there’s no reimbursement. It’s not worth it to them.”

Firefighting doesn’t pay the bills; it is a passionate hobby, and those who do it do so because it is the right thing to do, he added.

He would also like to see more publicity on the urgent need for more people to get involved with their fire departments.

“It is up to the voters to decide what they want to do,” board Chairman Lee Ireland said Tuesday night. He said he hasn’t had anyone approach him about the proposal, but has invited people commenting on the Industry community Facebook page to attend board meetings to get answers.

“We can’t have an organization without numbers,” Ireland said. “The reality is our problem is the same as is being faced in surrounding communities, the state and New England. Volunteering is not as strong as in years past. Numbers are down.”

Howard said he hasn’t seen the agreement, but hopes to meet with Farmington Fire Rescue Chief TD Hardy in the next week or so to see what is expected.

“I have seen Farmington go above and beyond, they do it because it is what is right,” Howard said. “Maybe it is time for something new. It’s hard to be the guinea pig.”