The National Volunteer Fire Council launched a nationwide recruitment campaign Tuesday to increase the number of volunteers in fire and emergency services.
The Make Me a Firefighter campaign will help build awareness among the public as well as provide departments with the tools and resources to recruit and retain volunteer firefighters.
"Volunteers are critical to our nation's fire and emergency services," NVFC Chairman Kevin Quinn said. "The number of volunteer firefighters has declined over the past three decades and our call volume has tripled. At the same time, the volunteer fire service is aging and we have fewer younger volunteers ready to take over for the older volunteers." The NVFC was awarded a FEMA SAFER grant to launch the Make Me a Firefighter campaign, which consists of a portal where volunteer and combination departments can register and post volunteer opportunities.
"We’re proud to help departments strengthen their recruitment and retention efforts through this campaign, as well as raise awareness among the public in a meaningful way that can answer the call to serve their community in a hands-on way," Quinn said.