Federal grant benefits Cleveland County in recruiting and retaining volunteer firefighters
Cleveland County Firefighters Association recently benefited from a federal grant to help retain and recruit volunteer firefighters amidst a statewide shortage.
The FEMA SAFER grant is intended to address North Carolina volunteer firefighter shortages across the state.
Olivia Noles, with Clairemont Communications, said the grant is a two-year grant for $839,380, although those funds do not go directly to Cleveland County.
“In order to be part of the grant, the departments had to demonstrate an urgent need for volunteers,” Noles said. “It is one grant for the state that is used to help these designated counties with the greatest need, but without an allocation to each county. The grant provides shared resources across the departments, such as recruitment materials.”
According to a press release from North Carolina Association of Fire Chiefs, the campaign is part of the Workforce Solutions program designed to help North Carolina’s fire departments achieve a viable and sustainable volunteer firefighter workforce. The program is a nationally-funded grant awarded to the North Carolina Association of Fire Chiefs to enhance the recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters.
“With over 80% of all North Carolina firefighters being volunteers, the need for volunteers is always in high demand,” the release states. “Since 2020, North Carolina has lost 4,963 volunteer firefighters, making this recruitment effort more critical than ever. We need more volunteers in our state to ensure our homes are safe and protected.”
Volunteer firefighters gain invaluable skills and knowledge while having a positive, lasting impact on the lives of their neighbors. Local fire departments need volunteers of all skill levels and abilities – from operational firefighters to administrative personnel – who are willing and able to respond to emergencies when needed.
“Local volunteers provide the bedrock of North Carolina’s firefighter workforce,” said Chief Tracy Mosley, program manager, NCAFC. “We understand that the safety of our communities relies on fully staffed and trained departments, and based on the success of past campaigns, we’re eager to launch this next iteration to transform our state’s volunteer fire service landscape.”
North Carolina’s two-year recruitment and retention campaign targets 14 "at-risk" fire departments/associations across the state's east, west, and Piedmont regions, including Cleveland County Firefighters Association.
Kevin Gordon, past president of Cleveland County Firefighters Association, said that the grant is from a federal program that issues grants nationwide to serve as a resource to local departments.
Gordon said volunteerism has been declining across the state, and Cleveland County is attempting to be proactive so they don’t fall into a crisis situation.
He said some rural areas are struggling to meet the need but he wouldn't label Cleveland County "at risk" and said a public safety study conducted last year didn't reveal any deficiencies or major concerns.
Although Cleveland County was designated one of the “at–risk” counties, Gordon said it has a solid pool of well-trained and experienced firefighters.
"The word "at-risk" is simply not a correct assessment of what our fire departments have done and do on a daily basis for our citizens and the county," Gordon said. "They all provide a tremendous service to this county and our citizens. We appreciate their service and dedication."
To learn more about becoming a volunteer firefighter and joining a local volunteer fire in your community, please visit www.VolunteerFireNC.org.
This article originally appeared on The Shelby Star: Grant designed to address Cleveland County's need for firefighters
