Fire Company Program Focuses on Recruitment, Community Outreach

Bristol Fire Company (Station 51) in the borough has launched a new initiative that is geared toward informing the community about its services and recruiting new members to the all-volunteer department.

Bristol Fire Company’s new brand identity is based on a visioning session that took place with its members over the summer, where volunteers explained what they enjoyed about the department and discussed its future growth. Station 51’s initiative is made possible through a Federal Emergency Management Agency Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant, which provides the company with funding for community outreach and volunteer recruitment support.

Station 51 has hit the ground running with its outreach initiative, first by redesigning its website, www.bristol51.com, by making it easier to use and more accessible for website visitors. There, the community will find highlights of the company’s involvement in the community, press releases, newsletters, fire safety tips and information of how residents can get involved with Station 51. Bristol Fire Company’s members are also sharing the word about the station and volunteerism by telling their personal stories through online video testimonials of how they became involved with emergency services and why Station 51 is a great company to join. Also on the website is a link to the company’s Facebook page, which has additional information and exciting, informative posts. The company’s Facebook page can also be accessed by visiting www.facebook.com/bristol51.

Bristol Fire Company is also sharing its message through its newly created quarterly “Station 51 Community Update” newsletter. This, along with stepped up media relations, posters and awareness ads will be another avenue the company is utilizing to share its community involvement efforts, recruitment messages and seasonal safety initiatives with the Bristol community.
The company is also asking residents to watch their mailboxes for a recruitment brochure that invites them to join Bristol Fire Company. Station 51 is a diverse, close-knit station that is steeped in tradition and is in search of energetic, enthusiastic individuals who are interested in helping others and giving back to the community.

“We are interested in bringing in new members who will help us lay the foundation for our future,” Bristol Fire Company Chief Herb Slack said. “Our goal is to let the community know we are there for them and inform them of the different services we provide.”

Bristol Fire Company’s community outreach and volunteer recruitment initiative has been implemented by Jenkintown-based Communication Solutions Group Inc., a full service public relations and marketing firm. The firm specializes in municipalities, school districts and nonprofits and works with other volunteer fire departments to promote volunteer recruitment.

“It has been a wonderful experience working with such a committed group of volunteers and helping them get their story out so that others are inspired to join Station 51,” explained Leza Raffel, president of the Communication Solutions Group Inc.