Spokane County Fire District 10 (SCFD10) officially kicked off new efforts to recruit volunteer firefighters this month with the hiring of its first-ever division chief of recruitment and retention, largely paid for by a highly competitive Federal Emergency Management Agency grant.
The four-year grant awarded in September 2018 funds two-thirds of the new position, which will focus on building up the pool of volunteer members for SCFD10.
Former Spokane County Fire District 3 division chief Debby Dodson accepted the position Feb. 4.
“The need for volunteers is incredible, and that element nationwide has been declining,” she said, “Volunteers are so critical.”
Dodson brings 25 years of experience from Spokane County Fire District 3, where she spent more than two decades as a volunteer.