Darby Fire Company #1 begins new recruitment campaign
DARBY >> Darby Fire Company’s ability to tackle unexpected situations has become the catalyst for its new recruitment campaign. Darby Fire Company No. 1 has announced a new effort aimed at promoting the need for volunteer firefighters and other members at its station.
The new campaign will encourage community members to visit
JoinDarby1.org. As part of its recruitment kick-off, the fire company unveiled its newest slogan “Expect the Unexpected, then Conquer It,” which represents the fighting spirit and training each volunteer demonstrates at a moment’s notice when community lives and property need to be saved.
The new slogan will be incorporated into all print and electronic materials, ads and public relations used to inspire interest among potential volunteers. Prospective volunteers will have a place where they can learn about the various volunteer opportunities, get their questions answered and complete a volunteer inquiry form for those interested in beginning the application process.
Community members can get involved as volunteers in four ways.
• As a firefighter, volunteers can learn the skills to keep their neighborhood safe. Training includes learning how to advance a hose line, perform search-and-rescue operations, and position ladders strategically.
• As Fire Police, volunteers will assist at the scene of an emergency by helping to direct traffic, crowds and working with other first responders.
• As Training Members, teens ages 15 to 17 can help at the station, assist firefighters at the scene of an emergency and begin the training to become a full member once they turn 18. Becoming a training member is an added bonus on college applications.
• An Administrative volunteer is the perfect role for those looking to help help in other ways besides fighting fires. Administrative volunteers work behind the scenes doing important business for the company to keep it up and running including finance, logistics, fundraising, marketing, information technology and vehicle maintenance.
All training, gear and equipment are provided to volunteers at no cost. The JoinDarby1.org volunteer recruitment campaign will utilize a proactive social media campaign, presentations at schools and groups, lawn signs and booth displays. This new fouryear campaign initiative will be implemented at no cost to tax payers. It is funded entirely through the Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response (SAFER) grant by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which Darby Fire Company was awarded recently.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, almost three-fourths of the nation’s 1.1 million firefighters are volunteers, and two-thirds of all fire departments are volunteer. There were about 300,000 volunteer firefighters in Pennsylvania in the 1970s, a number that’s fallen to about
38,000 currently and continues to drop, according to a state legislative study released in November
2018. Meanwhile, over the last five years the number of calls Darby Fire Company #1 has responded to has continued to grow. There were
802 calls in 2018. That’s up from
670 calls the previous year and 505 calls in 2013. Current members say they are dedicated to keeping their community safe but need help staying ahead of the increasing demand for service.
“When it comes to saving lives and protecting our community, we truly are trained and ready for anything,” said Darby Fire Company No. 1 President Kevin Carry. “Our historic company has kept lives safe for nearly 250 years. But we still need the next generation of firefighters and other volunteers to come join our ranks.” The Unique Appeal of Darby Fire Company #1 Interestingly, the diverse and often unpredictable nature of Darby Fire Company No. 1’s emergency calls is its biggest draw to volunteers, several of whom came over from other fire companies in search of more challenges.
To assist with its recruitment campaign, Darby Fire Company No. 1 has hired the services of The Communication Solutions Group Inc., a full-service public relations and marketing firm based in Jenkintown, established by Leza Raffel, who grew up in Delaware County. The company is no stranger to working with area fire and rescue organizations, with local clients that include Narberth Ambulance, Paoli Fire Company and Delaware County Fireman’s Association.
Author to visit Tinicum Memorial Library
Author M. Earl Smith will visit Tinicum Memorial Library, 620 Seneca St., Essington, 6:30 p.m. Wednsday, Feb. 20 to talk about his boo, “Philadelphia Big Five.” Copies of the book will be available for purchase after the presentation. For more information, e-mail Tinicum@delcolibraries.- org. Everyone is welcome.
Ridley area Lenten Series announced
Six Delaware County parishes will hold a six-week Lenten Series entitled “Seven Last Words of Christ.” Each of six parishes will host one of the Tuesday evening programs which will start at 7 p.m. The program will consist of evening prayer, Benediction, and a talk. A social will follow each program and everyone is welcome to attend.
The series includes: March 5, St. Francis of Assisi Church, 136 Saxer Ave., Springfield, Msgr. Gregory Fairbanks, Faculty, St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”; March 12, Our Lady of Fatima Church, 1 Fatima Drive, Secane, Msgr. Paul Dougherty, Pastor, St. Margaret, Narberth and Archdiocese Deaf Apostolate, “Today you will be with me in Paradise.”; March 19, St. Madeline Church, Penn St. and Morton Ave., Ridley Park, Kelly Anderson, Asst. Professor of Biblical Studies, Theological Seminary, St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, “Woman, this is your Son. This is your mother.”; March 26, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 2130 Franklin Ave., Morton, Rev. Steven Kiernan, Parochial Vicar, Mother of Divine Providence, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”; April
2, Our Lady of Peace Church, 200 Milmont Ave., Milmont Park, Sister Anne Amati, OSF, Retreat Ministry, Sisters of St. Francis Philadelphia, “I thirst.”; April 9, St. Gabriel Church, 233 Mohawk Ave., Norwood, Rev. Anthony Costa, Pastor, St. Francis of Assisi, Springfield, “It is finished. Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.”
For more information on any talk in the series, call 610-5431046.
Media Fellowship House presents Black History Month activities
The Media Fellowship House will present “Black Power Mixtape 1967–1975” 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 10, in honor of Black History Month. The 2011 documentary film, directed by Göran Olsson,examines the evolution of the Black Power movement in American society from 1967 to 1975 as viewed through Swedish journalists and filmmakers. It features footage of the movement shot by Swedish journalists in America between
1967–1975 with appearances by Angela Davis, Bobby Seale, Huey Newton, Eldridge Cleaver, and other activists, artists, and leaders central to the movement.
A Q&A will follow the screening. Light refreshments will be served.
The Media Fellowship House will also present “The History of the Underground Railroad in Delaware County” 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb.
12. Local historian Nancy Webster will give a lecture on the presence of The Underground Railroad in Delaware County. Pre-registration is required at www.mediafellowshiphouse.org/