Fire Rescue Recruiting Volunteers

Just because the Bloomingdale Volunteer Fire Department has ceased to handle calls doesn’t mean the door to help out in emergencies has closed.

Hillsborough County Fire Rescue kicked off its Reserve Responder Program Jan. 1, paving the way for volunteers to remain active in helping their communities. The new program is run by the agency itself instead of the six nonprofit organizations that once staffed volunteer stations.

To help introduce potential volunteers to the program, the county is playing host to a recruitment meeting on Jan. 17. The meeting will provide potential volunteers with the information they need to get started.

The reserve program was created late last year after the county approved a transition plan that effectively shut down its volunteer organizations. The program is meant to keep volunteerism alive in fire rescue while providing a way for those interested in firefighting to get their feet wet.

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“We want anyone that wants to assist with what we do to be able to,” Chief Ron Rogers said about the reserve program.

The program offers a number of different volunteer levels based on past training and eligibility. Some positions might open the door for future employment and others are purely volunteer in nature.

For more information on the program, visit the county’s website.

The Jan. 17 meeting takes place at 7 p.m. at Hillsborough County Fire Rescue Headquarters, 2709 E. Hanna Ave. in Tampa. It’s open to anyone interested in learning more about becoming a reserve.

See also:

Bloomingdale Volunteer Fire Station Under Review

Bloomingdale Volunteer Firefighters' Role Changes Under Plan

Bloomingdale Volunteer Fire Department to Become Career Station