Tag Archives: Public Relations

Is this Our Best Approach?

This article was originally published November 29, 2009 at www.TigerSchmittendorf.com. Rather than keep creating new posts on this subject, I intend to re-publish this post as opportunity presents itself to learn from best — and not exactly our best — ...

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Digital Recruitment and Retention

The world is changing rapidly and the fire service is getting caught up in the tornado effect of technology on our society. More and more fire departments are smartly using web sites, e-mail and social networking tools like Facebook and Twitter ...

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NEWS: Silver Creek NY May Merge Fire/EMS

According to an article in the Dunkirk Observer posted at www.eriecountyfireblotter.com; it appears that the Village of Silver Creek in Chautauqua County NY are talking of combining fire and EMS services under one roof: the Silver Creek Volunteer Fire Department. Here’s why ...

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Valuing Volunteers

The organization IndependentSector.org released a document identifying the value of volunteers in America. The study indicates that the average value of a volunteer’s time was $20.85 per hour in 2009. According to the report, that number was as high as $28.52 ...

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Make the Right Investments

Is it just me, or does any one else smell opportunity? You say you don't have enough volunteers? Here's an idea, take those donations and invest them in a VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGN!!!! As I've spoke and written of many times before, why is it that we spend the thousands and sometimes millions of dollars to support the inanimate objects of our jobs that are entirely useless without the proper quantity and quality of firefighters to operate them?

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A Touch of Gray

As I wrote in "From the X-Box to the Box Alarm" --- This demo includes settled homeowners; their kids are growing to an age of independence; focused on giving back; perhaps even looking for an outlet – or just an excuse to get out of the house.

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The Art of Speed-Recruiting

If you had just 30 seconds to convince someone why they should join your volunteer fire department, what would you say?  What would your message be? Do you have a standard sales pitch that you use for just such occasions? ...

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Who Can Afford to Volunteer?

Who Can Afford to Volunteer? That's the question asked by Don Grogg, a commissioner for Harris County Emergency Service District No. 9 in Texas in this article titled: "Suburban Fire Districts Sound the Alarm" in the Houston Chronicle.

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REVIEW: 10 Step Guide to Volunteering

And while I think the author is right on the mark that prospective candidates should do their homework before signing on the dotted line, I disagree with emphasizing and entering fundraising into the conversation so early. There are too many other positive parts of our business that could be used to highlight the benefits of volunteering. Fundraising is one of those functions that some volunteers must do when they're not doing what they signed up to do -- fighting fires and providing emergency services.

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