By Martin B. Cassidy
Staff Writer
October 9, 2007
As part of a new push to lure volunteer firefighters into the
town's ranks, the fire department is distributing a new video to
showcase the service to prospective recruits.
The seven-and-a-half minute $15,000 town-funded video features
interviews with volunteer firefighters as well as footage of them
putting out fires, using rescue equipment, and information about
the process of becoming a volunteer firefighter.
Brian Kelly, the Greenwich Fire Department's volunteer
recruitment and retention coordinator and a longtime volunteer
firefighter, said the video will be shown at Town Hall and
distributed to companies that promote service programs to
employees.
Kelly said he thinks the video shows the range of opportunities
available besides putting out fires, including serving in support
personnel roles such as fire truck drivers, fire policemen and
others who do not enter burning buildings.
"I think it is something that shows the positive parts of
being a volunteer firefighter," said Kelly, a captain of the
Cos Cob Fire Police Inc. "It's designed to maybe provoke the
thought whether you are younger or middle-aged that 'I could do
that.' "
Currently there are about 100 fully certified volunteer
firefighters, including support personnel, in the town's five
volunteer fire companies, and Kelly said he hopes to bring in 10
to 15 new volunteer firefighters townwide every year.
Volunteers, who must be at least 18 years old, typically join the
company closest to their home. There are firehouses in Cos Cob,
Byram, Sound Beach, the Round Hill area, and Glenville that have
volunteer companies.
Firefighter certification and earning an entry tag -- a
department-issued document verifying firefighters are fit enough
to enter burning buildings to fight blazes -- takes 140 classroom
hours over several months, Kelly said.
Support staff such as fire truck drivers, fire policemen and
others train for about 30 hours, Kelly said.
The video also highlights other benefits provided for volunteer
firefighters including discounted health insurance, a $1,000
local property tax abatement, reimbursement for vehicle use on
fire calls, and various training stipends.
Last week was Greenwich Volunteer Firemen's Association Fire
Prevention Week, with the video being shown at volunteer
companies holding open houses for their communities.
Other efforts to spur recruiting this fall include promoting the
department's Fire Explorer Program which is based out of the
Glenville and Sound Beach stations.
The two Explorer Posts which are run by volunteer firefighters,
provide training and other experiences for high-school aged
residents interested in firefighting, and currently have about 20
members.
"We hope to generate some good response with the
efforts," said Kelly.
Joseph Kaliko, 55, a retired patent attorney, said he he joined
the Cos Cob Fire Police Inc., after Kelly gave a presentation
during a class at the Citizen's Police Academy offered by the
Greenwich Police Department.
Kaliko said he gets a sense of satisfaction working with the fire
police, handling important tasks like directing traffic during
fires and other emergencies and tasks like cordoning off downed
wires, freeing up police and firefighters to focus on greater
emergencies.
"What we do helps protect the town because we relieve the
firefighters and police to go back into service and handle bigger
problems," Kaliko said. "It's been a tremendous
opportunity and pleasure to serve with them."
To ask about becoming a volunteer firefighter or to view the
video, call Kelly at 618-8877.
Copyright © 2007, Southern Connecticut Newspapers, Inc.