HADDAM WANTS YOU

Volunteers needed to fight fires and more

HADDAM>> Your local fire department needs volunteers, and not just to fight fires.

Though focused recruitment efforts over the past five years has delivered many able bodies into the company’s ranks, it’s just not enough, according to Lt. John Kuzminski.

“If we recruit two, then two people retire and go to Florida,” said Kuzminski. “We’re getting people on the front side, but then lose people on back side.”

The Haddam Volunteer Fire Company currently has about 40 volunteers, down from almost double that number 20 years ago, according to Kuzminski.

Current recruitment efforts are not enough to sustain the number of firefighters needed, he said.

“Our research seems to show that we are doing the right things,” Kuzminski said. Efforts include community recruitment events and a November open house.

“An older woman showed up at the open house, saying, ‘Geez, if I was younger, I’d love to be part of the fire department,’” said Kuzminski.

With her background in computers, Kuzminski told the woman she’d be a perfect addition to the company.

“‘We need people to maintain computers.’” Kuzminski told the woman, who later picked up a volunteer application packet. “There’s a lot of data entry and right now those jobs have to be done by firefighters.”

The company’s volunteer photographer Olivia Drake, a public relations professional by day, is a perfect example of ways people can contribute to the department, Kuzminski said.

“She’s not a firefighter or EMT, but she’s involved in other ways,” he said.

Drake takes photos of events and distributes to area media outlets. She also helps the company by posting her images to a Facebook page to raise the company’s public profile, he said.

Examples of other jobs for volunteers includes department secretary or treasurer and chairing various committees, like the Christmas or Community Committees.

The company’s mentorship program, which pairs experienced firefighters with recruits, gets much credit for keeping Haddam recruits long-term.

“[It’s] key for us, otherwise people lose interest and don’t keep the commitment,” Kuzminski said.

By the time a new firefighter is ready to step up to a fire, the company has invested nearly $5,000 in individual turnout gear and the basic training course, he said.

Volunteers like Kuzminski usually spend one night a week at the firehouse for a drill or meeting. Line officers typically spend another night doing paperwork, he said.

“Having an experienced partner to answer questions and guide a new recruit is invaluable,” Kuzminski said.

For more, visit the company’s Facebook page or www.haddamfire.com.

COURTESY OLIVIA DRAKE — HADDAM VOLUNTEER FIRE CO. Haddam Volunteer Fire Co. recently welcomed Emergency Management Services member Ben Tiezzi to the ranks of a firefighter.

COURTESY OLIVIA DRAKE — HADDAM VOLUNTEER FIRE CO. Last month, Haddam Volunteer Fire Company responded to a motor vehicle accident that resulted in the hospital transport of an unconscious passenger and use of a thermal imaging camera to locate the driver who fled the accident scene.