Can You Be An Everyday Hero?
On June 24, a special firefighter recruitment campaign kicked off in Clearfield with a fanfare of fire trucks from each of the 17 participating departments. The Everyday Heroes campaign addresses the critical shortage of volunteer firefighters in not only Clearfield, but in Cambria, and Indiana Counties. A grant of over $2 million is making this effort possible. (Photo by Jessica Shirey, courtesy of Gant News)
By Julie Rae Rickard
CLEARFIELD – Did you ever wonder what it takes to be a firefighter? Have you ever felt an urge to respond when you hear the fire whistle? Do you like to help others? If so, your local fire department needs you to step up and become an Everyday Hero.
On June 24, a special recruitment campaign, Everyday Heroes, kicked off at the River’s Landing Event Center in Clearfield with a special news conference. Fire trucks from each of the 17 participating departments were on hand during the event.
The campaign addresses the critical shortage of volunteer firefighters in not only Clearfield, but in Cambria, and Indiana Counties.
Supported in part by a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), this four-year campaign is poised to establish a sustainable model for future recruitment efforts, according to a press release.
It encourages people in all parts of the community to bring their strengths and differing experiences to regional fire departments to strengthen rescue teams and ensure the communities remain safe places to live.
The campaign will be implemented in phases, starting with targeted social media campaigns and the development of training modules for local fire departments. Community engagement initiatives will raise awareness and support for volunteer firefighting.
During the recent event with community stakeholders, the team discussed details of the grant funding, the state of counties’ current volunteer recruitment and previewed the Everyday Heroes campaign, which includes campaign kits for each of the departments.
“This campaign represents a crucial step in addressing the nationwide volunteer firefighter shortage. Having been a volunteer firefighter and EMT, I understand the vital role volunteers play in keeping our communities safe, especially in rural areas,” Congressman Glen “GT” Thompson said.
“By launching this initiative, Clearfield County sets a valuable model for other
communities facing similar challenges.”
Elliott Neeper, Chief of the Lawrence Township Fire Department said, “Every day, our community relies on the dedication and courage of volunteer firefighters to keep us safe. The Everyday Heroes campaign is essential for the well-being of Clearfield County, ensuring we have the manpower needed to respond effectively to emergencies and protect our residents.”
The full grant, totaling $2,439,860, supports the recruitment campaign, as well as underwriting equipment and training for new recruits to ease the financial burden of joining a department.
The Everyday Heroes campaign juxtaposes how everyday people can make a greater impact and difference in their communities. A video, copy, website, and promotional materials showcase people engaged in everyday activities, such as hunting or nursing, with firefighting to show that no matter a person’s background, anyone can be an everyday hero by becoming a firefighter.
Leading this ambitious campaign is TrailBlaze Creative, a Pittsburgh-based marketing and creative consultant specializing in work with nonprofits, small businesses, and local government clients, as well as Decoplan Associates, a consulting firm for first responders tasked with preparation and submittal of the FEMA application and now management of the SAFER grant for this campaign.
Together, TrailBlaze, Decoplan and the fire departments aim to recruit 160 volunteers across 17 different departments over four years, combining proven recruitment methods with modern, digital techniques to appeal to a new generation of volunteers. The uniqueness of this campaign is the combination of these approaches, outlined around four key elements:
In-Depth Research: Using a survey, the team collected demographic and volunteer motivation data. The findings spotlighted volunteer motivations that include a welcoming atmosphere, good communication, and modernization.
Digital Infrastructure Development and Engagement: Leveraging social media platforms for community engagement is a priority. Many departments currently lack this vital digital presence, which will be developed and strengthened through this initiative.
Training and Empowerment: Developing training modules for local fire departments is crucial for ensuring the sustainability of recruitment efforts. Marketing, education and training modules will equip departments with the necessary skills to attract volunteers independently beyond the life of the SAFER funding.
Community Collaboration: Engaging with local businesses, media, and community leaders will amplify the campaign’s reach and create a supportive network for volunteer firefighters.
For more information about the Everyday Heroes campaign, to see how you can get involved, and to see if you have what it takes to be an everyday hero, please visit www.herocheck.org.