Reynoldsburg, Ohio – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, along with Ohio Department of Commerce Director Sherry Maxfield and State Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon, announced a new statewide Public Service Announcement (PSA) campaign aimed at addressing the growing need for volunteer firefighters in Ohio. The announcement took place at the Division of State Fire Marshal’s campus, marking a significant step in the state’s ongoing efforts to bolster its volunteer fire service.
Addressing the Decline in Volunteer Firefighters
In 2022, Governor DeWine established the Volunteer Fire Service Task Force, bringing together volunteer fire departments, municipalities, and state agencies to study and propose solutions for the sustainability of Ohio’s volunteer fire services. The launch of the PSA campaign is the latest action resulting from the Task Force’s recommendations outlined in their 31-page report.
The campaign features two 30-second PSAs that began airing today on television and across various digital platforms, including social media. These PSAs highlight the experiences of current Ohio volunteer firefighters, who share their motivations for serving their communities. The goal is to encourage more Ohioans to consider becoming volunteer firefighters themselves.
The Growing Need for Volunteer Firefighters
Ohio’s reliance on volunteer firefighters is significant, with approximately 70% of the state’s fire departments staffed by volunteers. However, the state faces a concerning trend: while emergency calls have increased, the number of volunteer firefighters has steadily declined. From 2018 to 2021, Ohio saw a 6.5% decrease in volunteer firefighters, while emergency calls rose by 9% from 2018 to 2020.
This trend mirrors a national issue. The National Volunteer Fire Council reports that about 65% of the country’s estimated 1,041,200 firefighters are volunteers. Despite this, the number of volunteer firefighters nationwide reached a historic low in 2020, even as call volumes have more than tripled over the past 35 years.
State Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon emphasized the crucial role that volunteer firefighters play in Ohio’s emergency response system. “Many Ohioans underestimate or simply aren’t aware of the critical role that volunteer firefighters play in our daily lives,” Reardon said. “There is no question that volunteers are a key component in our ability to maintain a strong, robust, and responsive fire service across the state. The trend we’re seeing at this moment in Ohio is unsustainable, which is why now is the time for Ohioans to step up and become the hometown heroes our communities desperately need.”
Expanding Resources and Support for Volunteers
In addition to the PSA campaign, Ohio’s Division of State Fire Marshal has taken several steps to support and grow the volunteer firefighter workforce. These efforts include offering 100% free training classes for volunteer firefighters and departments at the State Fire Marshal’s Ohio Fire Academy. The state has also increased fire department grant funding to $7.5 million and hired a volunteer service coordinator dedicated to supporting the needs of Ohio’s volunteer fire service.
How to Get Involved
Ohio residents interested in becoming volunteer firefighters can visit MakeMeAFirefighter.org, where they can search for opportunities in or near their communities. The website lists nearly 400 open positions across Ohio, providing detailed information on the roles and allowing individuals to express their interest directly.
This campaign and the broader initiatives reflect Ohio’s commitment to ensuring that communities across the state continue to receive the vital services that volunteer firefighters provide, even as the demand for emergency services grows.
