As National Volunteer Week gets underway, fire departments across Connecticut are searching for new volunteer firefighters to join the fight in keeping our communities safe.
Some 83 percent of Connecticut's fire departments are made up of volunteers. An increase in calls for help shows more volunteers are in demand, according to the state Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.
The demand for volunteers has increased as the list of their duties has expanded. Volunteer firefighters' responsibilities now including handling hazmat incidents and responding to emergency medical calls, car crashes and industrial accidents, in addition to fighting fires, the DESPP said.
"Being a volunteer is a rewarding experience and one of the best ways you can make a difference in your community. The skills and experience gained as a volunteer firefighter are invaluable and will have a positive and lasting effect on your life and the lives of those around you," DESPP spokesman Scott DeVico said in a statement Tuesday. "Be a local everyday hero: if you have what it takes, you can make a difference by joining today."
Those interested in learning more about joining a local fire department or training in the field of emergency services can visit EverydayHeroCT.org or call 1-800-FIRE-LINE.
