There can never be enough firefighters and first responders during a major fire or emergency.
The Independence Township Fire Department received a $50,000 federal grant on Nov. 3 that will help strengthen the department by recruiting on-call firefighters.
The grant, stemming from the terms of the 2005 fiscal year Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, was one of seven across Michigan totaling $336,786, announced by Senators Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin.
‘The firefighter grants program is invaluable to Michigan’s first responders,? said Levin in a press release. ‘This federal funding will help provide these fire departments with the best equipment and training available. It will also help to ensure that they are fully staffed in their efforts to safeguard Michigan’s communities.?
According to the release, ‘the Recruitment and Retention of Volunteer Firefighter grants are intended to increase the number of competent firefighters who are trained, certified, and capable of responding to emergencies likely to occur within the fire department’s geographic region.?
Independence Township’s Assistant Fire Chief Bob Elizondo said the grant will be used for a recruitment retention coordinator.
‘The position could be part time or full time. We’re not exactly sure, now that we have the grant we’re beginning to look at our options and see what’s best for our system,? said Elizondo.
The grant will serve two objectives, explained Elizondo.
‘It’s purpose is to facilitate the recruitment of on-call firefighters for Independence Township,? said Elizondo. ‘The second component is to get in the school system and develop a program to train high school kids in emergency medical services, so that when they graduate at 18 they could attend the firefighting academy.?
Elizondo stressed that the fire department has enough staffing to handle firefighting duties, but that the department wants to add 10 more on-call firefighters in the near future creating a cadre of available on-calls.
‘We’re shorter than what we’d like to be with on-calls. The more on-calls you have, the better equipped you are,? said Elizondo. ‘In a large emergency, we’d be better off with more on-calls. It’s also a good method to recruit full-time firefighters. On-call is almost like a minor league system for developing good full-time candidates if they wish.?
Candidates must be 18 years of age and a resident of Independence Township, said Elizondo. He added that if the department receives interest from non-residents they will be directed to the appropriate township providing a benefit to all of northern Oakland County.
The first step to joining the on-call force is to visit the main office of firestation 1 at 6500 Citation Drive and fill out an application.
After the recruits are accepted, they will attend an academy jointly run by Waterford and Independence Township. Elizondo explained that Waterford provides EMS training and Independence conducts the fire fighting aspect of training during the 8 to 10 month academy.
Elizondo said a background check and physical must be completed by Jan. 1 and he would like all applications turned in by Nov. 24.
For more information call 248-625-1924.