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Many departments across the country are struggling with a decline in fire-rescue and EMS volunteers while at the same time facing higher call volumes and increased demands on the department. The Montgomery County (MD) Volunteer Fire Rescue Association (MCVFRA) has developed an innovative recruitment initiative to tackle this challenge. They are launching a volunteer fire-rescue recruiting station to meet the needs of the 19 volunteer fire and rescue departments in Montgomery County.

“The nation’s first volunteer fire-rescue recruiting station is a novel approach to getting our residents, our community members to become volunteers in their neighborhood volunteer fire-rescue department” said Marcine D. Goodloe, president of the Association. “We believe this recruiting station will be critical in adding new volunteers and growing our capabilities.”

The new store-front recruiting station, which will be opening in the coming weeks, will feature the volunteer experience with hands-on activities and current volunteers available to answer questions and share their experiences.

“This is a walk in off the street, see what you can do, and join your local fire and rescue department experience” said Eric N. Bernard, executive director of the MCVFRA. “The need for volunteers has never been greater and the time never better for our residents to join their community volunteer department. We need you, we want you and here is a way for you to walk in and see what you can do as a volunteer” Bernard added.

The Recruiting Station is conveniently located near downtown Rockville at the corner of North Washington Street and Beall Ave. The station offers hands-on equipment including a fire engine cab, fire hydrant and hose to hook-up, fire gear, and other equipment that potential volunteers can try.

“Our goal is to encourage community members to get involved in their local volunteer fire and rescue department as new volunteers” Goodloe said.

Each of the 19 volunteer fire and rescue departments in Montgomery County offer volunteer opportunities ranging from firefighting, emergency medical technicians (EMT), paramedic and emergency medical services (EMS), responses to dive rescue, collapse rescue, administrative and auxiliary services. Various skill set areas are also available, from entry level experiences as firefighters and EMTs to fire chief level – all volunteer positions.

The recruiting station is set to open in the coming weeks. Bernard says MCVFRA and the county’s emergency service stations are already getting more calls from residents just from seeing their signs on the recruiting station building.

The Montgomery County Volunteer Fire-Rescue Association was formed in 1922 to represent volunteers in the county. Today it represents more than 1,650 professional men and women volunteer fire, rescue and emergency medical personnel who volunteer in the 19 volunteer fire and rescue departments in Montgomery County. The volunteer personnel are highly trained, and each dedicates many hours each year providing active emergency responses to the community.

For additional information, please contact Eric N. Bernard at the Montgomery County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association at 301-455-6648.

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