So Far, Grant-Funded Maryland Recruiter a Success
Source The Frederick News-Post, Md.
IJAMSVILLE, Md. -- A comedy show at the Frederick Fairgrounds may sound like an unorthodox place to recruit volunteer firefighters, but it worked for Lisa Lessin.
She picked up seven recruits before "Larry the Cable Guy" took the stage last summer and has not stopped.
Less than one year ago, Lessin joined Frederick County Fire and Rescue Services as a recruiter. Since then, Lessin has recruited more than 320 potential volunteers, blowing through her initial goal of 100.
"I love this stuff," she said.
The grant-funded position requires Lessin, who is also a certified EMT, to dedicate her time to recruiting a wide range of volunteers.
To do this, Lessin will make a pitch for volunteers just about everywhere. She has even made a pitch during a truck show, where she boldly asked organizers for a microphone.
"I am always working. ... I love what I do," Lessin said after a recruiting session at Frederick Community College.
Lessin is not shy about recruiting volunteers. She has created a recruiting website for the division along with a marketing strategy, which includes a billboard along U.S. 15.
"We need volunteers in Maryland so badly," Lessin said.
More recruiting plans are in the works, but for now Lessin said the division is keeping them under wraps.
"I have lots of ideas," Lessin said while sitting in a room that was covered wall-to-wall with firefighter memorabilia.
The museum-like room is in the lower level of Lessin's home. There, visitors can find a miniature fire truck, a Dalmatian statue and Lessin's photography.
Before becoming a recruiter, Lessin joined the Laytonsville District Volunteer Fire Department, where she still serves as membership chairwoman and training coordinator. She also sits on the department's board of directors.
The photos displayed in her home are from her days as administrative assistant with the Laytonsville department, where she met Stanley "Buddy" Sutton.
Sutton is the chief of the Laytonsville department and shares Lessin's passion for fire and rescue services.
The duo's shared interests are evidenced by the two antique fire trucks they bought together.
Two summers ago, they bought their fire truck -- a 1937 Seagrave -- from a woman in New Jersey, then they bought another fire truck from Mount Airy.
They store their most recent purchase in a garage that once housed an RV. The other truck stays tucked away in the couple's garage.
They often participate in community parades and truck shows.
Copyright 2012 - The Frederick News-Post, Md.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
