Talbot County Kicks Off Year Long Call for Volunteers – The Talbot County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association, with the support of the Talbot County Council, initiated a yearlong recruiting campaign entitled “Gear up for Talbot” on October 1st.
The Talbot County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association represents fire departments located in Easton, Cordova, Oxford, St. Michaels, Tilghman Island, Trappe and Queen Anne, Maryland. The goal is to boost membership in the these departments.
Nationally, over 70% of firefighters and emergency rescue workers are volunteers. A decline in volunteers since the financial collapse is a nationwide problem and is especially acute for rural counties who depend on volunteers for their fire and rescue service.
In Talbot County as in most rural counties in Maryland, volunteers make up 100% of the emergency fire and rescue service. Local volunteer fire companies are the heart of the communities they serve as well as a saving their taxpayers significant costs. Converting to a paid service would cost hundreds of millions of dollars and result in significant tax increases.
Anyone 16 or older may join their local fire company. The benefits are significant and growing. They include free education, a Maryland income tax exclusion and insurance while on the job.. Whether you are young and looking for excitement, or not so young but have time to assist with accounting, computers/networks, administration and fund raising there is a place for you at your local fire company.
For more information visit www.tcvfra.org or call (410) 770-8160. Join today!
