Volunteer Firefighters Needed - The National Volunteer Fire Council Launches First-Ever National Recruitment Campaign On Giving Tuesday

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Nov 30, 2015, 08:58 ET

WASHINGTON, Nov. 30, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --

WHAT: The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is holding a press conference on #GivingTuesday to launch a nationwide recruitment campaign to increase the number of volunteers in the fire and emergency services.

Sixty-nine percent of America's firefighters and emergency responders are volunteers. Over the past three decades, the number of volunteer firefighters has declined, but calls for help have tripled. The NVFC's campaign encourages people to give back to their communities, and ultimately, save lives.

WHEN: Tuesday, December 1, 2015, 10:00 a.m.

WHERE: National Press Club
529 14^th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20045
Murrow Room

WHO: Kevin D. Quinn, NVFC Chairman
Juan Bonilla, Donnelly (ID) Rural Fire Protection District Fire Chief
Tracey Berry, Odenton Volunteer Fire Company
Carla Barrera, Gaithersburg Washington Grove Volunteer Fire Department
Meghan Quinn, Glen Echo Fire Department

VISUALS: B-roll of volunteer testimonies, emergency response apparatus
Photos of volunteers in bunker gear and Fire/EMS equipment

The Hyattsville Volunteer Fire Department will host a media day following the press conference. Details to come.

WHY: Volunteer responders save communities an estimated $140 billion annually, providing communities critical protection with fire suppression, emergency medical services, search and rescue, traffic incident management, natural disaster response, and hazardous materials incidents.

However, with declining volunteer numbers, increased call volume, and an aging fire service looking to retire, departments need young volunteers ready to learn and eager to give back to their communities in a very hands-on way.

Volunteer Tracey Berry loves giving back to her community. "We do it out of love. It is truly the 'toughest job you will ever love.' And when you love what you do, it is no longer 'work.'"

The NVFC has received a federal SAFER grant to implement this first-ever national volunteer fire service recruitment campaign. The goal is to inform the public about the need and to recruit new volunteers, including under-represented audiences such as Millennials (18-34), women, and minorities.

ABOUT THE NVFC:
The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is the leading nonprofit membership association representing the interests of the volunteer fire, EMS, and rescue services. The NVFC serves as the voice of the volunteer in the national arena and provides invaluable resources, programs, education, and advocacy for first responders across the nation. Learn more about the NVFC at www.nvfc.org.

CONTACT:
Kimberly Quiros, Chief of Communications, 240-297-3567, [email protected]

SOURCE National Volunteer Fire Council