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State Fire Marshal Promotes 1-800-FIRELINE to Alleviate Shortage of Volunteers

 

Radio public service announcement bolsters recruitment of volunteer firefighters

 

State Fire Marshal Robert R. Rielage announced today the creation of a radio public service announcement aimed at recruiting volunteer firefighters. The 60 second spot promotes 1-800-FIRELINE, a toll-free number that hooks potential volunteers up with local fire departments.

"The volunteer fire service is full of everyday heroes," said Rielage. "But, with more than three-quarters of Ohio's 1,300 department relying on volunteers, we need reinforcements to maintain top-notch fire protection coverage for all Ohio. "

In an attempt to boost volunteer numbers, the Fire Marshal’s Office began utilizing 1-800-FIRELINE in mid-1999. The number is a joint effort with the National Volunteer Fire Council. When someone in Ohio dials the number, it connects with the Office of the State Fire Marshal, which can then answer questions and direct the caller to the nearest volunteer department. "People with questions on what it means to be a volunteer firefighter can call 1-800-FIRELINE to be put in touch with a local source of information," said Rielage.

The radio spots are aimed at sparking people's interest in the fire service and making them realize that there are jobs for anyone in the service. One part reads, " Young, old, man, woman, blue collar, white collar. What you do or know doesn’t matter. Having the courage and compassion to make a difference does. Departments need volunteers to answer calls, maintain equipment, treat victims, drive the trucks, and yes, fight the fires." The spots, produced by RadiOhio, Inc., will be aired twice this week on nearly 80 Ohio News Network radio stations throughout Ohio, then remain in their library for consideration as part of their regular rotation of public service announcements. In addition, the spot is being mailed next week to more than 150 other Ohio radio stations. This is the second wave of promotion, the first being a series of three television public service announcements released in December 1999.

 

Marshal Rielage estimates that over the past decade the number of active volunteer firefighters has dropped from 33,000 - 35,000 down to around 30,000. Nationwide, the number of volunteers declined from 884,600 in 1983 to 815,500 in 1996, according to the National Fire Protection Agency. "As I've traveled throughout the state, most departments are telling me that while calls are being covered, the burden on current volunteers is increasing dramatically. They simply need more people to share the load," said Rielage. More than 300 calls have been fielded by the State Fire Marshal's office.

 

 Rielage cited several factors regarding recruitment and retention from a 1998 report by the National Volunteer Fire Council and US Fire Administration that he believes are true in Ohio:

• Changes in the family, including a more hectic pace, more multiple income families, members with multiple jobs and single parent families.
• Changes in the workplace, including longer commutes, employer constraints and a move away from agricultural based employment.
• Societal changes, including population shifts from smaller towns to urban centers, a more transient society resulting in a lack of community involvement and a decline in civic responsibility, inability to count on children of volunteers "following in their parents footsteps," an aging community, and an inability of volunteers to afford housing in the areas they must serve.

In addition, these difficulties are occurring at a time when the fire service is experiencing greater demands, including:

• Increased call volume—the NFPA reported a 60% increase in calls nationally, from nearly 11 million in 1983 to more than 17 million in 1996.
• Wider roles and greater expectations of service including emergency medical response, hazardous materials response and non-fire issues such as responding to carbon monoxide alerts, or false alarms generated by automated alarm systems.
• Additional departmental demands such as administrative paperwork and fund raising.

 

 

In addition to the public service announcements and staffing 1-800-FIRELINE, the Fire Marshal’s office initiated the Ohio Women Firefighters Committee in 1998. This committee, made up primarily of women in the fire service, addresses issues of recruitment and retention as it pertains to women. Targeting women for the fire service doubles the pool of candidates for volunteer departments and opens the doors to a rewarding career for women. The committee has sponsored several "Can You Take the Heat" programs. These day-long programs offer selected women the opportunity to experience fire fighting first hand. Exercises include search and rescue, the jaws of life, and knocking down a fire in the State Fire Academy’s burn building.

In addition, the Marshal’s office provides financial support to volunteer department through nearly $2 million annually in grants for training and equipment.

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