[New post] An opportunity to give back: Tallahassee Fire Protection District in need of volunteers
Carie Canterbury posted: "Tallahassee Fire Protection District is ready, willing and able to assist local individuals and families and visitors to the area 24/7. Still, with the recent loss of some key volunteer board members and firefighters, the district is in need of additional" Canon City Daily Record
Tallahassee Fire Protection District is ready, willing and able to assist local individuals and families and visitors to the area 24/7. Still, with the recent loss of some key volunteer board members and firefighters, the district is in need of additional manpower.
"We are losing the Smith family, which was a huge asset to us," said Dave Levy, TFPD Board Chairperson.
The Brian and Misty Smith family, who recently moved outside the state, included two volunteer firefighters, an EMT and an auxiliary volunteer.
"The whole family was so dedicated to this department," Levy said. "It was really incredible how much they contributed to this."
Three to four additional dedicated volunteers would help tremendously on the firefighting side.
"We are not asking for money, we are just asking for people," Levy said. "We need people."
The Tallahassee Fire District office, located at 2518 Colo. 9. (Carie Canterbury - Daily Record)
Requirements include the prospects being 21 or older and in good physical health. They don't have to live within the district boundaries but are close enough to respond. Uniforms and turnout and safety gear are provided.
"A big part of our job is to supply medical and traffic control to motor vehicle accidents," Levy said.
The department provides training and pays for some education and credentialing.
"We require a minimum of 36 hours of training per year," said Chief Mark Norris. "We conduct about 110 hours of training per year, and there are lots of training opportunities offered online and in-person around the state."
In addition to training and a position with the department, Levy said it's an opportunity to give back to the community, be part of the community and meet people.
TFPD's former volunteer bookkeeper and board treasurer/vice president, Chris Parker, also has moved outside the area, leaving a vacant position. The replacement will work alongside the department's CPA to manage the department's books.
Board members must live within the district's boundaries to serve on the board. The treasurer doesn't have to be a CPA or a financial advisor, just a working knowledge of computers and the ability to learn QuickBooks.
TFPD has one paid, full-time position, which is the chief. The remaining volunteer firefighters typically receive a stipend.
Norris said there currently are 13 volunteers to cover TFPD's 361-square-mile area. The department responds to about 140 calls for service each year.
TFPD continues to expand its training opportunities and it has a deployment program where certified and qualified volunteers respond to other agencies who call for help with wildfires nationwide. However, the department doesn't short itself during those deployments.
"We always make sure we have enough people here to staff the trucks and respond to calls," Levy said.
The department relies on a mill levy for funding, as well as grants, donations and firefighter deployments.
The department aims to be active in the community by offering CPR and Stop the Bleed classes, an annual Christmas party, open houses and more.
The board of directors meets on the second Monday of each month at 2 p.m. at the station, which is located at 2518 Colo. 9. Meetings are open to the public.
The community is invited to an open house from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 19 at the station, where there will be demonstrations and an opportunity to meet the firefighters and tour the facility.
Levy may be contacted directly at 720-810-4616 or at david.levy@talxfire.com. Norris may be reached directly at 719-458-9351 or at mark.norris@talxfire.com.
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