COLUMBUS, Ohio — In a bid to address the growing need for volunteer firefighters across Ohio, Governor Mike DeWine, alongside Ohio Department of Commerce Director Sherry Maxfield and State Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon, unveiled a new statewide Public Service Announcement (PSA) campaign. The announcement was made at the Division of State Fire Marshal’s campus.
“Volunteer firefighters are the backbone of safety in many Ohio communities,” Governor DeWine said. “With their numbers declining, it’s crucial to raise awareness about the pressing need for volunteers. This campaign aims to inspire Ohioans to become everyday heroes by serving as volunteer firefighters.”
The initiative is a key action from the Volunteer Fire Service Task Force, established by Governor DeWine in 2022. The Task Force, comprising volunteer fire departments, municipalities, and state agencies, was tasked with evaluating and enhancing the sustainability of volunteer fire services in Ohio. The new PSA campaign is a direct response to the recommendations outlined in the Task Force’s 31-page report.
Starting today, Ohioans will see two 30-second PSAs broadcast on television and promoted across various digital platforms, including social media. The ads feature current volunteer firefighters sharing their personal stories and encouraging others to join their ranks.
Interested individuals can explore volunteer opportunities by visiting MakeMeAFirefighter.org, where they can find and apply for positions in their local communities. The website currently lists nearly 400 open positions statewide.
Volunteer firefighters comprise about 70% of Ohio’s fire departments. Despite an increase in emergency calls—up 9% from 2018 to 2020—the number of volunteer firefighters has dropped by 6.5% from 2018 to 2021. This trend mirrors a national issue: According to the National Volunteer Fire Council, about 65% of the nation’s 1,041,200 firefighters are volunteers, and 64% of 29,452 U.S. fire departments are all-volunteer. The number of volunteer firefighters in the U.S. has reached a low point, even as call volume has more than tripled over the past 35 years.
Ohio Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon emphasized the crucial role of volunteers in maintaining an effective fire service. “Many Ohioans may not fully appreciate the vital role of volunteer firefighters,” he said. “These individuals, who balance full-time jobs with the demands of firefighting, are essential to keeping our communities safe. With the current decline in volunteer numbers, it is imperative for Ohioans to step up and become the heroes our communities need.”
In addition to the PSA campaign, the Division of State Fire Marshal has implemented other Task Force recommendations, including providing free training at the Ohio Fire Academy for volunteer firefighters, increasing grant funding for fire departments to $7.5 million, and hiring a volunteer service coordinator to support the volunteer fire service in Ohio.
