Ohio Governor Mike DeWine held a press conference Friday morning to bring awareness to a statewide shortage of volunteer firefighters.

During the press conference, DeWine announced a public service announcement (PSA) campaign designed to encourage Ohioans to become volunteer firefighters.

These PSAs are set to hit the air Friday and run for the next eight weeks throughout Ohio. They feature testimonials from volunteer firefighters throughout the state talking about what they do and what being a volunteer firefighter means to them.

The ads urge interested viewers to visit makemeafirefighter.org where they can find out where opportunities to become a volunteer firefighter are available.

Governor DeWine says about 70% of Ohio's fire departments are volunteer.

"The number of volunteer firefighters in the state is decreasing, while the number of calls these departments receive is increasing and increasing significantly," DeWine said.

Governor DeWine, along with State Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon said Ohioans may not be aware of the statewide volunteer firefighter shortage or not know that they have the opportunity to become a volunteer themselves.

Reardon went on to say if this shortage continues, folks may find themselves in a situation where they call 911 for help, but no one is available to help them.

"What would happen if there was a fire in your home, your business or somewhere in your community? What would happen if no one responded? ... That's completely hypothetical, but sadly that possibility is becoming more real by the day," Reardon said.

Chief John Finley of the Malta and McConnelsville Fire Departments in Morgan County, Ohio also took to the podium to reiterate the need for volunteer firefighters, especially in smaller rural communities.

"When someone calls 911, it's most likely the worst day of their life. ... We owe it to our family, our friends [and] our neighbors to be there when they need us the most," Finley said.

Finley encouraged Ohioans to explore the possibility of becoming a volunteer firefighter in their communities to make a difference in their communities.