Margaretville Fire Department
Rural fire departments are entirely volunteer, and a lack of volunteers is endangering their mission. In 2021 Margaretville Fire Department needed a recruitment campaign, including a new website, newspaper ads, Facebook page and a mailer to everyone in the district. The campaign spotlights the stories of eight diverse current members and why they joined. The mailer introduced MFD to people who might be new to the area and have no idea how volunteer fire departments work.
The campaign culminated in a booth at the July 4th Fireman’s Field Days where people were invited to “picture themselves as a firefighter,” and kids tried on turnout gear. An unprecedented number of application forms were handed out, and the campaign has earned MFD their first new recruit in two years.
