Posted: 7:59 AM Jan 5, 2012
Reporter: Katrina Bush

Volunteer firefighter retention is a challenge for fire departments across the country and now Shenandoah County has support from the state in that fight.

Shenandoah County has been chosen as one of twenty counties in Virginia to get a grant helping to bring in and keep more volunteers.

The grant is part of the GIS study, which stands for geographic information system.

It involves using information about current volunteer firefighters to specifically target people that might be best suited to become a volunteer.

Fire Chief Gary Yew says, "The research has shown us what they like, where they shop, where they prefer to dine, what appeals to them in a volunteer fire and EMS organization...We polled everyone of our volunteers in the county and asked them what they like and dislike about a volunteer agency. So we have all that data to assemble again to target those groups."

Chief Yew says even with the new information, it won't be easy.

He says, "This is a predominantly agricultural county. We're also very close to the D.C. metro area, so a lot of those people commute back and forth. So a lot of those, because of time constraints, family constraints, work commitments, probably aren't available to participate in a volunteer fire and EMS system, so we have some challenges up front that we have to overcome."

The recruitment started at the end of November and it will continue until the end of this year.

After that, the progress of all 20 counties will be evaluated to see how effective the program has been.

Previous Story: Gas Prices Up in Va., Will Continue to Increase Through 2012
Next Story: Public Hearings Set on Va Budget

WHSV Mobile Site Home

Gray Television, Inc - Copyright 2002-2012 - Powered by Gray Interactive Media

Full Site - Contact Station