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MONTGOMERY COUNTY >> One year ago, Montgomery County Fire Chiefs Association kicked off a four-year recruitment campaign to obtain more volunteer firefighters throughout the county. Over 80 fire companies joined forces to create branding and a website, www.montcofirefighters.org, so community members interested can locate their local fire company, learn more about the volunteer experience and fill out an inquiry form to get connected.
Since then, more than 150 interested residents have filled out inquiry forms. All materials lead back to the recruitment website and in the first year, the campaign raised awareness through media coverage, videos featuring testimonials from volunteers throughout the county, social media and digital marketing, a recruitment brochure, lawn signs and an outdoor booth display for community events to spread awareness county-wide.
Interestingly, a driving force of this campaign comes from the lawn signs spread across the county. Each fire company received 100 lawn signs to pepper in front of residential lawns, intersections, and businesses. More than 76 people saw the lawn signs and took action by filling out an inquiry form on the website.
“I grew up volunteering as a firefighter in Montgomery County and stopped roughly nine years ago because of my career,” said Ray Forlano, firefighter at Towamencin Fire Company. “I saw lawn signs around my neighborhood and due to a recent career shift I have more time, so I figured I’d join my closest fire company.”
As a fire truck driver, Forlano noted, “there are many ways you can help that don’t involve running into a burning building. There’s a common misconception that when you get older you can’t do much to help; fire companies need fire police to direct traffic and administrative members to help with funding.”
In the news
Not only did the campaign bring back former firefighters to their roots, it sparked the interest of community members with no previous experience or knowledge of firefighting.
Recent national news about California wildfires inspired Micah Moono to research firefighting. After delving deeper into his research, he found the Montgomery County fire chiefs’ website and filled out an inquiry form.
“I began reading more local news sources about volunteer firefighters and that made me realize the urgency, especially in Pennsylvania,” said Moono. “My biggest questions were answered on the Montco firefighter’s website, www.montcofirefighters.org, so I filled out an inquiry form to get connected with my closest fire company.”
A couple months ago Moono was voted in to Perkiomen Fire Company as an official member.
“As a mixed-race individual, I’m not always sure what to expect in a new situation or environment. Since the first day of walking into the station the other members have been nothing but warm and welcoming,” said Moono. “Everyone shares bits of advice or feedback, or helps me get better training.”
Learning new skills
As a new volunteer firefighter Moono assists with exterior firefighting when responding to emergency calls and participates in weekly training nights at the fire station. When he finishes his courses at the Montgomery County Fire Academy at the end of this year, he will receive his Firefighter I certificate and be able to fight interior fires.
“Although I don’t have my Firefighter I certificate yet, I learn a lot during training nights at the fire station. It’s a refreshing change of pace from my 9-5 desk job and very fun,” said Moono. He elaborated, “we learn how to do forcible entry, work the hoses, and light things on fire. At the same time, we’re learning life-saving skills.”
The fire chief’s recruitment campaign tagline is “Ordinary People, Trained for the Extraordinary” because anybody can volunteer. Volunteer firefighters come from all different walks of life, with all various work backgrounds.
“We want to spread the word in hopes people understand, regardless of their background we can use their help,” said Montgomery County Fire Chiefs Association President George Wilmott II. “Most people don’t realize their local firefighters are volunteers.”
Many volunteers, similar to Moono, have no experience fighting fires. Montgomery County fire companies pay for state-of-the-art training at Montgomery County Fire Academy and equipment necessary to answer the emergency call safely.
While the campaign is leading to an increase of new volunteer firefighters, there is still an urgent need for volunteers county-wide. Fortunately, the Montgomery County Fire Chiefs Association will have another three years to recruit more volunteers thanks to a Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response (SAFER) grant by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Looking ahead, the campaign will include billboard ads and more on-camera testimonials, media coverage, digital advertising including geofencing and social media marketing and outreach at community events.
“As we continue with this campaign, we hope to increase and retain the number of trained firefighters in our communities,” said Limerick Fire Department Deputy Chief Glen Russell. “It’s been a great year and we can’t wait for what’s in store next year.”
To learn more about the campaign or fill out an inquiry form and take the next steps towards volunteering, visit www.montcofirefighters.org.
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