Mesa Fire Department Volunteer Corps Receives Award of Excellence

Fire Corps Awards the Mesa Fire Department Volunteer Corps the Award of Excellence

Mesa, AZ – The Fire Corps Award of Excellence honors a Fire Corps program whose remarkable achievements in fire and emergency services as well as their community exemplify outstanding performance. The Mesa Fire Department is proud and honored that their Volunteer Corps was chosen to be the recipient.

“The range of activities and accomplishments of the Mesa Fire Department Volunteer Corps is truly inspiring,” Acting Director of Fire Corps Sarah Lee said. “This team of volunteers has demonstrated how a department can significantly expand and enhance their services by utilizing community members to perform non-emergency tasks. The work of the Fire Corps members has greatly benefited the department and the entire community.”

The Mesa Fire Department created it’s Volunteer Corps in 1998 with a single program and ten volunteers. Currently it has five programs with 152 active members. The Mesa Fire Department Volunteer Corps has responded to over 3,800 calls and given 29,000 hours of service in 2008. This has provided the department and community a savings of $585,599.

The Mesa Fire Department Volunteer Corps is comprised of five programs, each serving a specific function in the fire department and community. The Connector Program is the largest of the programs and provides fire victim assistance, emergency scene transports, stranded motorist assistance, as well as other services. The Community Response Team provides initial grief support and community resources to families who are dealing with the natural death of a loved one. The Social Service Intern Program is a partnership with Arizona State University’s School of Social Work. Students receive the field experience they need by providing follow-up assistance for the department. The Home Safety Inspection Team provides free home safety inspections to residents. They educate residents on making their home a safer environment. The Bilingual Assistance Team provides translation assistance between English and Spanish for fire department personnel and residents. The Mesa Fire Department Volunteer Corps is an integral part of the Mesa Fire Department and is considered a critical component in the success of the department.

More information on the Mesa Fire Department Volunteer Corps can be found by visiting: www.mesaaz.gov/fire/FLSE/VoltOpps.aspx

Source: City of Mesa

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