Connecticut, while it has troubles (mostly liberal Dems taxing and spending), has lots of towns (no counties) with volunteers in EMT and fire. A town where was business was had volunteer fire department, but they do train to might fires. Saves money...
Re: post 35 might is supposed to be fight. Falling asleep...
NJ is the same; the strange part is that even with volunteers our property taxes are still among the highest in the nations (due to teachers/cops).
I had to deal with EMTs a few months back, and was surprised by not just how young they were (they were led by an older, more experienced person), but the fact that three of the four were young GIRLS. No reflection on their abilities (they seemed to be there for training), but it was a big difference from 30 years ago where this was a primarily male field. These weren’t “big girls” who could carry an average American adult.
It appears young men are simply retreating from a mainstream culture that has completely marginalized them with the full blessing of the law.