Fire departments in 13 states are opening their doors to the public during and around Fire Prevention Week as part of the International Association of Fire Chiefs’ national firefighter recruitment campaign.
Departments open doors to prospective recruits
Twenty fire departments across the US are hosting public events during and around National Fire Prevention Week, October 4-10, as part of the International Association of Fire Chiefs’ (IAFC) “A Hustle Worth Having” recruitment campaign.
The events will give members of the public opportunities to meet firefighters, tour stations, see demonstrations and learn more about volunteering in the fire service.
Since launching in April, the campaign has generated interest from thousands of prospective volunteers and fire departments across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
“We know sometimes it just takes one interaction with the fire service to change someone’s life and inspire them to get involved,” said IAFC Volunteer & Combination Officers Section Board Member Jason Caughey, who is also Fire Chief of Laramie County Fire Authority in Wyoming.
“We hope that by opening our doors to the community during Fire Prevention Week, we are able to have meaningful conversations with our community members to educate them about what this job entails and how they can step up to serve.”
Fire Prevention Week events
Participating departments include:
- Colorado – Genesee Fire Rescue: Behind-the-scenes tours and informational sessions throughout Fire Prevention Week.
- Illinois – Minooka Fire Protection District: An October 10 open house featuring tours of its new training facility, helicopter, extrication and water safety demonstrations.
- Indiana – Batesville Fire Department: An October 10 open house with a safety house, equipment displays, fire prevention materials and a volunteer recruitment area.
- Indiana – Daleville Fire Department: An October 10 annual pork chop dinner.
- Indiana – Galveston Fire Department: An October 3 fish fry featuring fire trucks, a silent auction and fire safety education.
- Indiana – Monroe Fire Protection District: A trunk-or-treat event on October 15.
- Kansas – Ellis County Fire Department: An October 3 family open house featuring fire equipment demonstrations and activities for children.
- Maryland – Burtonsville Volunteer Fire Department: An October 10 open house with firefighter skills activities, demonstrations and educational activities.
- Michigan – Troy Fire Department: An October 4 open house across all six Troy fire stations, featuring firefighter demonstrations, station tours and hands-on activities.
- Minnesota – Inver Grove Heights Fire Department: An October 8 event allowing visitors to try firefighter gear, practice fire escape skills and explore fire apparatus.
- Montana – Columbus Fire Rescue: An October 7 open house with fire prevention stations, extinguisher training and wildfire mitigation information.
- New York – Northport Fire Department: An October 17 event featuring fire safety learning stations and a live burn demonstration.
- Pennsylvania – Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Company: Behind-the-scenes tours and informational sessions throughout Fire Prevention Week.
- Pennsylvania – Ross Township Evergreen Volunteer Fire Company: An October 4 open house focused on fire safety, community resources and volunteer firefighting.
- Tennessee – Hardin County Fire: An October 10 Community Fire Prevention Day featuring children’s activities and a live burn demonstration.
- Vermont – Hinesburg Fire Department: An October 10 open house with station and apparatus tours and firefighter gear demonstrations.
- Virginia – Boones Mill Volunteer Fire Department: An October 3 open house.
- Virginia – Galax Fire Department: An October 6 Fire Prevention Parade followed by an open house.
- Virginia – Warrenton Fire Department: An October 4 open house featuring hands-only CPR training, apparatus tours and children’s activities.
- Virginia – Woodstock Fire Department: An October 2 event featuring a fire truck, recruitment materials and activities designed to give visitors an insight into firefighting.
Volunteer recruitment remains a challenge
“A Hustle Worth Having” is supported by a FEMA SAFER grant and is intended to help fire departments attract and retain volunteers.
More than 60% of fire and EMS departments in the US are staffed by volunteers, with the proportion exceeding 80% in some states. Departments across the country are facing increasing challenges in maintaining minimum staffing levels.
The IAFC said the campaign is intended to provide departments with tools and resources to support recruitment while highlighting the role volunteer firefighters play in protecting their communities.
The campaign is part of the IAFC’s wider efforts to strengthen the volunteer fire service through collaboration with local departments and increased public engagement.
More information is available at HustleWorthHaving.org.
