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It was a dark and stormy night in Pennsylvania.
Basements were flooded. Trees were downed. Cars crashed. People of all
ages called for help. What would happen if no one answered their call?
Who would respond? Who would save their lives? Who would protect their
property? Who would get the job done?
Every day in every city, town and township in our Commonwealth
emergency responders answer the call of our friends and neighbors in
need of assistance. We do it for many different reasons. Some for the
adrenaline rush. Some to sharpen our emergency skills and techniques.
All to meet the challenge. All to help other people.
The Pennsylvania Fire & Emergency Services Institute, in its mission
to do everything possible to help local emergency service
organizations do the job more effectively, has taken a leadership role
by addressing one of the greatest challenges we all face - bringing in
new people. During the past ten years, the number of volunteer
emergency responders has continued to decline.
In 1984 Pennsylvania's fire departments indicated that on the average
they had from 20-50 active members (active members are defined as
those who respond to calls or help with operational activities on a
regular basis). In 1995, fire departments said they have between 21-30
active members. Today emergency responders do far more than just put
out fires. We respond to vehicle accidents, clean-up hazardous
materials incidents, and rescue people from all sorts of emergency
situations. We are the first line of defense in natural and man-made
disasters.
In response to the growing need for new people, the Institute has
established a toll-free 1-800 FIRE LINE number for Pennsylvanians to
answer the call. Upon receiving calls from interested individuals, we
will refer the name, address and phone number to the closest emergency
service organization. Local emergency service leaders will contact the
individual directly. We will advertise our 1-800 number on specially
designed video tapes, posters, road signs, and brochures.
Thanks to the Prudential Foundation, every high school and library in
our state will receive a free twelve minute video tape and poster
early in 1997. The video is specifically geared toward 11th grade
students, however, the entire recruitment program encourages people of
all ages to answer the call.
Governor Tom Ridge and many State Senators have
appeared in public service announcements to promote our initiative.
The Governor has also declared the third week in March (16-22) as
"Emergency Service Providers Week" to make the public aware of our
growing need for emergency responders. This initiative will be
successful if we welcome interested men and women of all ages and
walks of life. We need active fire fighters, emergency responders,
fund raisers, and administrators. We need all types of people to
improve our delivery of quality emergency services.
How can your emergency service organization or
local government get involved? Call the Pennsylvania Fire & Emergency
Services Institute at 1-800 FIRE LINE for more information. Together
we will inform the public of our growing need for emergency responders
and the enormous tax savings we provide for our people. And we will
continue to answer every call.
Thomas L. Savage, III
Executive Director
Pennsylvania Fire & Emergency Services Institute
1-800 FIRE LINE
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