How Fire Corps is Helping Departments

The role of the fire/EMS department in the community is an important one, and not just for the provision of emergency services. The fire/EMS department becomes a focal point, a place that becomes a family not only to those who serve in it, but to the citizens around it. A place where children find their heroes, a place that people young and old alike hold in the highest regard. Being such an important part of the community creates an interest and willingness of the citizens to give of their time to help the department grow and meet its mission: to serve those around it.

Since September 11th, the need for that community bond has never been greater. With the increasing demands placed on the fire and emergency services, not only in response to the threat of terrorism, but by the changing demands of our communities, it has become increasingly harder for many fire/EMS departments to maintain that bond, provide much-needed services, and to do its job in an efficient manner. This is where your community and Fire Corps can help.

Fire Corps creates the connection between the fire/EMS department and the community, providing a vehicle for citizens to find out which departments in their area are looking for help, and providing resources for departments and citizens to be able to create and sustain Fire Corps programs.

How can citizens help? There are many necessary tasks that can be performed by citizens from the community in the fire and emergency services every day. From creating web sites, to maintaining vehicles, to promoting life safety education and providing administrative help, the list is endless, bound only by your imagination.

Many departments already have community outreach programs or actively recruit administrative or associate volunteers. If you do, we encourage you to register your program with Fire Corps so that the citizens in your community can find you. If you don't already solicit assistance from the community at large, or only have operational volunteers, then check out the resource section and the program database. Here you will find ideas on how to start a program and sustain it, while introducing you to other fire departments that already have programs in place. There is a frequently asked questions section for both departments and citizens that answer a litany of common questions, or use our contact form to ask specific questions about Fire Corps or starting your own program.

Fire Corps benefits fire/EMS departments as well as the community. It gives citizens a way to give back, and gives your department an important link to the community you serve.