While the number of members varies between volunteer departments in Door County, there is one area fire chiefs like Brussels-Union-Gardner’s Curt Vandertie would like to see dramatically improved. The B-U-G Fire Department has grown this year thanks to seven new members, including five with previous experience. Vandertie says they are good on numbers, but it is when those members can actually get used where it gets tricky.

Vandertie credits the camaraderie, training opportunities and its new fire station for helping attract and retain recruits.