Md. County Fire/Rescue Recruiter Surpasses Goal

Aug. 17, 2013
Since 2011, Lisa Lessin has recruited about 780 volunteers for many capacities in Frederick County.

Aug. 17--Just days after seeing a recruiting poster in a Frederick sandwich shop, Derek White became a member of the New Market Fire Co.

For years the 26-year-old had longed to be a firefighter. He applied for a position in Salisbury and, after pursuing the job for several months, he was turned down.

"I had lost all hope," he said in a recent interview.

So his expectations were low when in December he saw the poster at Firehouse Subs. He half-jokingly filled out an application. Much to his surprise, he received a call the next day.

Recruiter Lisa Lessin of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services was ready to add him to her long list of recruits.

Lessin, who joined the division as a recruiter in 2011, has brought in more than 780 potential volunteers, blowing through her initial goal of 100.

Of those recruits, 664 serve as firefighters or emergency medical technicians; the rest serve in nonoperational roles, offering support to fire rescue personnel, Lessin said.

White is one of the hundreds recruited through the division's Gear Up campaign, which aims to send more volunteers to the county's 26 volunteer fire and rescue stations. The "Gear Up" message can be seen on yard signs, banners, and even on a billboard on U.S. 15.

"We need volunteers in Maryland so badly," Lessin has said previously.

The training to become a volunteer firefighter or emergency medical technicians is free, but it takes time. Firefighter I class is 120 hours of training, which takes about three months to complete. The EMT class is 165 hours and takes about five months. Volunteers must complete additional classes to qualify to ride the apparatus and respond to emergency calls.

"This type of work is not for everyone," Lessin wrote in an email. "We do lose some people in the process. Some find out that they are not cut out for it."

Some find the time commitment an obstacle, Lessin said, but that has not stopped the division from maintaining an 80 percent retention rate of volunteers.

Retaining recruits has also become White's passion as he continues his volunteer efforts in New Market. Since becoming a member, he has moved from Salisbury to a home just two doors away from the fire station.

"I love it," White said of volunteering.

Follow Cara R. Anthony on Twitter: @CaraRAnthony.

Details

If you, or someone you know, are interested in becoming a volunteer firefighter or EMT, email [email protected], call 301-600-2281, or visit your local volunteer fire and rescue department for information.

Copyright 2013 - The Frederick News-Post, Md.

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