Firefighters choose to volunteer and stay with Moorestown Fire Department because its members are professional, skilled and always ready to answer the call — approximately 700 per year. To keep up with call volume and declining volunteerism in fire service across Moorestown and the nation, the department has launched a new volunteer recruitment campaign. The campaign will help ensure Moorestown’s commitment to providing the highest level of fire and rescue services to its residents.
Through visioning sessions that focused on the Moorestown volunteer firefighter experience, the department decided on a new tagline, “Become Moore: Professional Volunteers, Everyday People.” The tagline will be incorporated into all new print and electronic marketing materials, in hopes of inspiring those throughout Moorestown and its surrounding areas to take action and volunteer.
The campaign will encourage residents and potential volunteers to visit its website, www.moorestownfire.org. The website offers more information about the department’s background and history, ways to volunteer and why to volunteer. While on the website, those who are interested are encouraged to fill out an inquiry form to begin the application process to ultimately becoming a member.
“This campaign is a reflection of our department’s service and commitment to public safety,” said Moorestown Fire Department District Administrator Chris Chesner. “We also want our residents to understand the benefits of becoming a Moorestown Fire Department volunteer and the rewarding experience that comes with it.”
Recruitment efforts will include an increased presence on social media, feature stories, volunteer testimonials, postcards for mailings and community events, and additional recruitment training for volunteers.
The department plans to present its new campaign materials at the township’s annual fall event — Autumn in Moorestown — slated for Saturday, Oct. 8, and will continue to be active at local school and community events.
How to Join Moorestown Fire Department
Moorestown primarily needs volunteers ready to help fight fires, but there’s also opportunities to help in other ways. The department is looking for fire police as well as junior firefighters and Rowan Co-Op members. No prior experience is necessary, and training and equipment are provided for free.
“We are a well-trained group of men and women,” said Chesner. “We are very appreciative of our dedicated volunteer firefighters and the time that they give protecting the citizens of Moorestown.”
The following opportunities are available:
Volunteer Firefighter: Learn how to respond to emergencies, help save lives and protect property. We’ll teach you how to position ladders, advance hose lines and other important skills. Training and equipment are free, and you must be 18 years old to volunteer. (This requires Firefighter 1 certification from the state of New Jersey.)
Fire Police: Help ensure the safety of firefighters on the fire scene, direct traffic and provide crowd control at the scene.
Junior Auxiliary: A Junior Auxiliary member can join the department at 16 years of age and learn some basic firefighting skills and respond to various incidents before attending the Fire Academy at age 18.
RCBC Co-Op Membership: The Moorestown Fire Department and Rowan College at Burlington County (RCBC) have partnered to help increase membership in the fire department, foster education and provide tuition incentives.
Moorestown Fire Department has hired the services of The Communication Solutions Group (CSG), a public relations and marketing firm responsible for running volunteer recruitment and retention campaigns in Deptford, West Deptford, Willingboro, Westville and other fire departments throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The company successfully ran numerous recruitment and retention campaigns for fire and rescue companies in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
To learn more about Moorestown Fire Department or to fill out an inquiry form, visit www.moorestownfire.org.
Editor’s Note: To set up an interview with a volunteer, please contact CSG Public Relations Specialist Michael Berman at 215-884-6499 or michael@comsolutionsgroup.com