Pro-Tip: Maximizing Military Marketing for your VFD

I’ve long held a purpose and passion for connecting veterans with the volunteer fire service. This is the first in a series of articles I’m writing on maximizing military marketing in your volunteer recruitment efforts. I’d love your feedback.

https://www.firstarriving.com/enlisting-military-marketing-ideas-into-your-volunteer-fire-ems-recruitment-efforts/

Elkin NC VFD Connects Vets to Volunteers

The Elkin NC Fire Department contracted with First Arriving, a full service marketing team focused on Volunteer Fire & EMS, to create a recruitment video that showcased the similarities between serving your country and serving your community.

Elkin highlighted two of their newest members: Derrick Cordova, a retired US Marine and John Hogan, a US Army National Guardsman who shared how the fire department gave them a sense of value and of belonging; and filled their need for camaraderie and action that they missed from active duty.

Watch the video here:

Estacada OR Launches SoldierFirefighter Effort

The Estacada Rural Fire District in Estacada OR has launched their new Veteran-to-Volunteer program with a newly released video that features the highlights of the career and volunteer opportunities for veterans and active military looking to reintegrate into their community.

Check it out here: https://www.estacadafire.org/veteran-to-firefighter-program

 

DIFFERENT UNIFORM. SAME DEDICATED SERVICE.

In preparation of celebrating EMS Week 2017, EMSstrong.org published a comprehensive guide to make the most of your promotional efforts. The guide featured an article that strikes firmly on the SoldierFirefighter connection, titled: “DIFFERENT UNIFORM-SAME SERVICE-EMS” which offers great insight as to how to transition from military service to community service, transferring your knowledge and experience to serving our citizens.

Regardless of the color or the pattern on your uniform, thank you for all you do every day. We celebrate you as a real life saver during this EMS Week 2017.

Welcome Home Soldier|Firefighters!

Welcome home Eagle-Matt Lee Firefighter/US Army PFC Calvin James Bauer after his completion of Army Basic Training which he started in July 2013.

Two recent fire department Facebook posts prompted this share:

“Eagle-Matt Lee Fire Co. #1 is very excited to welcome home Eagle-Matt Lee Firefighter/US Army PFC Calvin James Bauer after his completion of Army Basic Training which he started in July 2013.

Welcome Home Calvin!”

I love how PFC Bauer is sporting the Soldier|Firefighter look with his turnout coat and fatigues.

And from the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.

“The Officers & Members of the RVFD wish the best of luck to Fireman John F. Kennedy. Today John, along with the other men of the 1st Battalion 7th Marines, head to Helmand, Afghanistan. We are confident that John will serve our country and the people of Afghanistan proudly, just as he has done for the citizens of Rockville, MD. Stay safe Brother John, your RVFD family will be waiting patiently for your return home to the Co. 3 Bunkroom!”

Welcome home SoldierFirefighters! Check us out on Facebook and Twitter.

Recognizing Some Early SoldierFirefighters

The following is an excerpt from the not-so “Secret List” shared by my good friend Chief Billy Goldfeder on his popular firefighter wake-up-call web site: FirefighterCloseCalls.com:

For the younger readers of The Secret List today, “Pearl Harbor Day” — we remember the attack on Pearl Harbor, which was a surprise military strike conducted by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on the morning of December 7, 1941.

A total of 188 U.S. aircraft were destroyed, 2,402 personnel were killed and 1,282 were wounded in the Line of Duty. We remember them all from “The Greatest Generation” who served along with all those who continue to serve today including the Honolulu FD and Federal FD Firefighters.

PURPLE HEARTS: REMEMBERING THE FIREFIGHTERS KILLED & INJURED IN THE LINE OF DUTY AT PEARL HARBOR: As the Hickam Field firefighting apparatus was knocked out by the attack, Honolulu Fire companies responded to assist with the fires.

At 0826 a Japanese aerial bomb was dropped on crews from HFD Engine Co.1, 4, and 6. 3 Firefighters, Captain John Carreira, Captain Thomas S. Macy, and Hoseman Harry T.L. Pang were killed in the Line of Duty.

An additional 6 Firefighters were wounded from shrapnel. They were Honolulu Fire Lieutenant Fred Kealoha, Hoseman Moses Kalilikane, Hoseman John A. Gilman, Hoseman Solomon H. Naauao, Hoseman Patrick J. McCabe, and Hoseman George Correa.

In 1944 they all were awarded the Order of the Purple Heart. They are the only non-military personnel to have received this award. MORE on Pearl Harbor as we remember those lost on December 7, 1941:

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/pearlharbor/

RIP.

Take Care. Be Careful. Pass It On.

BillyG
The Secret List 12-7-13/0630 hrs
www.FireFighterCloseCalls.com

First Responders can Help End Veteran Homelessness

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers a wide range of services for Veterans who are homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless.

They are asking first responders to help in these initiatives to end Veteran homelessness.

Learn more about what you can do, and view a flyer and brochure with information about what VA does for Veterans in need. Find additional information and resources to help end Veteran homelessness at www.va.gov/homeless.

Double Duty.

I think I like “Double Duty” even more than “Two Hatter” in describing SoldierFirefighters. Here’s a great story of one soldier who has put his military training to the test as a firefighter serving his community and vice-verse. Rob Fox is the SoldierFirefighter that this GX Magazine article features.

Here’s his story on the National Guard website: http://www.nationalguard.com/soldier-stories/rob-fox

It Carries Over

A Marine does a great job of drawing the connection between military service and community service in providing fire and emergency services in this short video. It’s what Soldier|Firefighter is all about.

Creating Opportunities

Although I wasn’t able to participate in VetNet’s live online discussion on the “Value of Mentoring and Networking” — I did view the interaction after the fact and left this comment that I hope some folks will pick up on and respond:

I’m not a soldier. I’m a firefighter. I created www.SoldierFirefighter.com to connect returning veterans with the volunteer fire service.

The fire service needs volunteers who understand the values of teamwork, discipline, respect and the chain-of-command. The fire service offers the camaraderie, adrenaline rush and sense of belonging and value that a lot of returning veterans miss about active duty. It’s a great match.

And given the PTSD and suicide issues amongst returning veterans, I’m convinced we can save lives by welcoming them home and into our fire service family.

In terms of job networking, the volunteer fire service is vast and offers the opportunity to connect with people who may be aware of employment opportunities for quality people where they work, or they may be employers themselves.

These are a few of the great reasons for veterans to continue their legacy of service to our country — by serving their community.

Check out www.SoldierFirefighter.com. We hope you’ll agree.