1-800-FIRE-LINE

1-800-FIRE-LINE is both a national recruitment campaign for volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel and a way for interested citizens to learn about Fire Corps programs in their community. The campaign was founded in 1994 by a group of New Jersey fire chiefs who were concerned about recruitment and retention of firefighters in their state. In addition to this original function of providing a statewide means to answer questions about local volunteer firefighter or EMT opportunities, 1-800-FIRE-LINE has added the role of being a point of contact for Fire Corps. The campaign now gives the public one toll-free telephone number to call for information about both operational and non-operational volunteer opportunities in their community. It is managed on a national level by Fire Corps through the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC).
 
Any statewide organization representing the fire and emergency services can adopt the 1-800-FIRE-LINE campaign for their state. This includes the state fire marshal’s office, state firefighters or fire chiefs association, a state emergency training organization, the state fire program office, or the state EMS office. When a state joins the campaign it connects the toll-free number to a statewide answering point. A call to 1-800-FIRE-LINE made from any area code within that state is routed to that state’s answering point.
 
  • Steps to Implement 1-800-FIRE-LINE
    These step-by-step instructions will walk you through the process of connecting and implementing the 1-800-FIRE-LINE campaign in your state.
  • State Registration Form
    Complete this registration form to establish 1-800-FIRE-LINE in your state.
  • State Contract for Grant Funding
    Complete this form to become eligible to receive financial assistance to help cover the costs associated with establishing the 1-800-FIRE-LINE number in your state.
  • Example Recruitment Ads from the Oregon Volunteer Firefighters Association
    The Oregon Volunteer Firefighters Association (OVFA) has created several public service announcements (PSAs) that promote recruitment for their state's fire departments through 1-800-FIRE-LINE. Use these as examples of what your state association or department may consider developing. While these PSAs use 1-800-FIRE-LINE for recruiting volunteer firefighters, you can choose to develop similar PSAs targeted at recruiting non-operational Fire Corps volunteers, or you can create PSAs designed for recruiting both emergency responders and non-emergency volunteers. Once you have a PSA, you can post it on your association or department's web site as well as run them on TV. Talk to your local television stations or cable providers about the possibility of running your public service announcement without charge.

    OVFA Recruitment Ad 1
    OVFA Recruitment Ad 2
    OVFA Recruitment Ad with Fire Prevention Message – Candle
    OVFA Recruitment Ad with Fire Prevention Message – Cooking 1
    OVFA Recruitment Ad with Fire Prevention Message – Cooking 2