A Quick PSA from the Coudersport Volunteer Fire Department

If you’re heading to a Coudersport home football game this year, you may notice something different: CVFD will not be providing traffic and parking control.

This wasn’t an easy decision, and it’s not because we don’t want to help. The reality is that we simply don’t have the manpower to commit members to this week after week.

Our volunteers answer 300+ calls for service each year, on top of training, meetings, fundraising and everything else it takes to keep a volunteer fire department operating. More than half of our members also have kids involved in school sports and activities.

Football traffic control isn’t just showing up for kickoff. Between arriving before the game, managing parking and traffic, and staying afterward until vehicles are cleared out, it can be a 5+ hour commitment for several members every Friday night.

We met with the Mayor and principal ahead of the season to let them know about our decision and allow time to look at other options for traffic and parking control.

There’s another piece we think is important to acknowledge. On more than one occasion, our members have been yelled at, belittled or treated poorly because someone didn’t like where they were told to park or the direction they were given. Our members are volunteers giving up their personal time to help the community. That type of treatment isn’t something we’re willing to ask them to continue accepting.

We’ve also heard some comments suggesting that CVFD is stepping away from public events or doesn’t want the community interaction anymore. That simply isn’t true.

We love being part of this community. You’ll continue seeing us at festivals, community events, fundraisers, school activities and plenty of other places outside of emergency calls.

But being a volunteer organization also means recognizing when we’re stretched too thin. Sometimes we have to stop doing something simply because “we’ve always done it.”

We hope everyone understands the decision, supports whoever takes on traffic control this season, and most importantly — has a safe and great football season.

Go Falcons!