Support Your Local Fire Department

5/15/2017 (Permalink)

Your local fire department needs your support

The Bloomfield (Connecticut) firefighters are a vital community resource. So are the Enfield and other local fire departments in Connecticut. These men and women save lives and property by preventing and putting out fires, educating our communities on safety, and handling many types of emergencies. We all should support our local fire fighters and fire departments. A lack of visible support in other communities has made firefighters feel cut off from local residents and businesses.

Here are some facts about firefighters and some ways that your business or you and your family can help strengthen and show appreciation for the Bloomfield, Enfield, or other local firefighters in your community.

1. Think about it: Bloomfield’s firefighters have been extensively trained. They have life-saving skills. They’ve learned the science and art of fire prevention and suppression. Bloomfield firefighters help our local communities in lots of other ways, especially in life-threatening situations like house fires, car accidents and other disasters.  Thank them with a letter to the editor in your local newspaper.

2. If your local fire department hosts a fundraising event be sure to participate.

3. Sometimes Bloomfield and other fire departments sponsor fire safety events. It’s worth the time to go and learn how you, too, can help prevent fires.

4. Many fire departments have a member or officer who will visit schools. She or he will help educate young children on the importance of fire safety. The firefighters also tell school children how to react in case of a fire. In Bloomfield or elsewhere, encourage your local schools to participate in these types of fire safety programs. Children love to learn about firefighters and how important they are as members of a community.

5. Volunteer fire departments often have limited financial resources. Local businesses, families, and individuals often find ways to support their department by performing important tasks like:
• Hosting a fire safety event at your local community organization
• Teaching fire safety to children
• Encouraging people to install smoke alarms in their homes
• (If this is in your skill set) Offering to maintain the department’s website and social media efforts
• Distributing the fire department’s disaster preparedness materials
• Providing refreshments to first responders during long incidents (e.g. a wild fire or large commercial building fire)
• Cooking for the fire department’s on-duty staff
• Helping maintain the fire station and grounds (painting, carpentry, etc.)
• Donating services (like bookkeeping) so the department can devote more financial resources to fire prevention
• Spreading the word about the fire department’s resources (the Bloomfield Fire Department has a website with eight pages full of material on fire prevention and even a Kids’ Corner.)

6. The famous stop, drop, and roll skill is taught to children at various ages so that they have the skills to put out a fire on their bodies if needed. Make sure children in your community learn that skill.

7. You can make a huge impact by becoming a volunteer firefighter. Ask if you can meet with the local fire department chief and discuss what’s involved in volunteering.

8. Fire Prevention Week is the Sunday through Saturday period that includes October 9. For example, in 2018 Fire Prevention Week is October 7-13. Check with your local fire department to see how you can help celebrate that week.

9. Investigate resources like the Firefighters Support Foundation. This foundation produces and distributes advanced, life-saving training programs free of charge to firefighters, rescue crews, and EMS personnel.

10. Whether you live or work in Bloomfield, Enfield, or another town, the best advice is to contact your local fire department to find out what specific needs they have.

19,915 Out Of 29,980 Fire Departments Are All Volunteer
In the United States, 69 percent of firefighters are volunteers. Rural towns in particular could not survive without these dedicated men and women. Out of 29,980 fire departments in the United States, 19,915 are totally volunteer. Volunteer firemen and women have to attend hours of rigorous training. Many times they purchase their own gear. To fund the departments the firefighters have to put on fundraising activities. In addition to hours spent fighting fires and training, they are expected to raise money to buy the equipment necessary to fight fires. SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield strongly urges you to support your local department in any way and every way you can. And remember this quotation:
“Volunteers don't get paid, not because they're worthless, but because they're priceless.” -- Sherry Anderson

Fire and Fire Protection Information For You 
Every month on our blog, SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield publishes educational articles on how to prevent and deal with fires.

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Bloomfield, Connecticut 06002
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