As part of National Fire Prevention Week, which runs from October 4-10, Columbus Fire Rescue in Montana is hosting an event to promote fire prevention and recruitment. The event, which took place on October 7, featured interactive training and fire prevention stations, including a fire prevention smoke trailer, a firefighter obstacle course, fire extinguisher training, and wildfire mitigation information. This event is part of a nationwide push to recruit the next generation of firefighters.
The event in Columbus is one of many taking place across the country, with 20 departments in 13 states participating in the International Association of Fire Chiefs' national recruitment campaign, "A Hustle Worth Having." Since April, the campaign has sparked interest from thousands of prospective volunteers in all 50 states and D.C. by showcasing volunteer firefighting as a side hustle with real purpose. The campaign aims to address the challenge of maintaining minimum staffing in fire and EMS departments.
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), this year's Fire Prevention Week campaign focuses on lithium-ion battery charging safety. The NFPA notes that rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, which power devices such as phones, tablets, and laptops, can overheat, start a fire, or even explode if damaged or charged incorrectly. The campaign aims to educate the public about how to safely charge lithium-ion powered devices and minimize associated risks.
The Columbus event was supported by a FEMA SAFER grant, which helps fire departments recruit and retain volunteer firefighters. More than 60% of all fire and EMS departments in the U.S. are staffed by volunteers, with some states having even higher percentages. However, maintaining minimum staffing is increasingly challenging for departments across the country.
The "A Hustle Worth Having" campaign is designed to showcase the benefits of volunteer firefighting and encourage people to consider it as a side hustle. The campaign has been successful in generating interest from prospective volunteers, with thousands of people expressing interest in volunteer firefighting since its launch in April.
Fire Prevention Week is an annual event that aims to promote fire safety and prevention. This year's event runs through October 10th and features events and activities across the country. The NFPA and other organizations are working together to promote fire safety and prevention, and to educate the public about the importance of taking steps to prevent fires.
To learn more about the "A Hustle Worth Having" recruitment campaign, visit HustleWorthHaving.org. The campaign is a collaborative effort between fire departments and organizations across the country to promote volunteer firefighting and address the challenge of maintaining minimum staffing in fire and EMS departments.
Key points
- The "A Hustle Worth Having" campaign has sparked interest from thousands of prospective volunteers in all 50 states and D.C. since its launch in April.
- This year's Fire Prevention Week campaign focuses on lithium-ion battery charging safety.
- More than 60% of all fire and EMS departments in the U.S. are staffed by volunteers.
