As the calendar turns to a new year, many people resolve to give back, get involved or make a meaningful change. At South Media Fire Company, two new volunteers have been doing just that and serving the community when they’re needed most.
Jason Lin, 40, never expected a simple stop at an open house to lead to volunteering. The senior power services engineer attended, hoping to show his daughter a fire truck. Instead, he found himself inspired by the sense of community and purpose within the firehouse.
“I decided to join to set a good example for my daughter,” Lin said. “I feel like fire companies are a place where people from all walks of life come together with a shared conviction of helping their neighbors.”
Now a firefighter-in-training, Lin has completed introductory fire service courses and has already responded to emergency calls alongside fellow volunteers.
Nycholas Burkett, 26, who works for First Mate Sport, joined in July and immediately jumped into action. He has responded to emergencies including an overturned vehicle and says volunteering has given him hands-on training, new skills and a deeper connection to the community.
“You learn how to safely operate fire hoses and rescue equipment and how to fight fires from the exterior until you complete your Firefighter 1 certification,” he said. “But more than that, you’re giving back and helping someone on one of the worst days of their life. You’ll learn a lot of unique skills and build a better relationship with your community and community leaders.”
Lin and Burkett are just two of the 15 volunteers attracted over the past year. This growth comes as South Media Fire Company marks the one-year anniversary of its renewed recruitment campaign, which included a revamped website, social media outreach, press releases and volunteer spotlights, mailed materials, lawn signs, municipal ads and community events. A new slogan, “Our Volunteers Are South Media Strong! You Could Be One of Us,” was incorporated across all outreach to connect with locals and highlight the benefits of South Media’s lean volunteer team, including advanced training, modern apparatus and more opportunities to respond to 911 calls.
For those interested in joining, no prior experience is needed to join. Training and gear are provided for free. Volunteers train every Monday at the station and pursue Firefighter 1 and other certifications through the local fire academy.
Visit www.SouthMediaFire.com to learn more and submit a volunteer inquiry form.