Volunteering is at its lowest level in decades in the United States. In some communities, this marks a possible crisis: rural hospitals are struggling and could close, and emergency relief dollars are harder to come by. Volunteer firefighting is a lifeline for many small towns. We check in on the efforts to increase volunteerism — especially where it's needed most. Our guests: Bill DiFabio, 3rd assistant chief of the Branchport Keuka Park Fire Department   Matt Kelly, EMS captain of the Branchport Keuka Park Fire Department and EMT for Yates County Ambulance   Rebecca Case, firefighter/EMT with the Branchport Keuka Park Fire Department and junior at Keuka College Alvin Leid, firefighter with the Branchport Keuka Park Fire Department   Lily Stewart, firefighter/EMT with the Branchport Keuka Park Fire Department and sophomore at Keuka College  --- Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member today, support the show, and help us close the gap created by the rescission of federal funding. --- Connections airs every weekday from noon-2 p.m. Join the conversation with questions or comments by phone at 1-844-295-TALK (8255) or 585-263-9994, email, Facebook or Twitter.  Connections is also livestreamed on the WXXI News YouTube channel each day. You can watch live or access previous episodes here. --- Do you have a story that needs to be shared? Pitch your story to Connections.