The U.S. Fire Administration and the Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firemen's Association's Emergency Responder Safety Institute will work together to perform a study of effective recruitment and retention methods and techniques for fire service traffic control personnel, referred to in some areas of the country as fire police.

“This effort will not only illustrate an effective use of citizen volunteers to support the fire service, it will also contribute to firefighter safety,” said Deputy U.S. Fire Administrator Charlie Dickinson. “Effective roadway safety additionally supports the National Fallen Firefighters' Foundation Firefighter Life Safety Initiative to mitigate on-duty firefighter fatalities as firefighters have died in the line of duty from being struck by vehicles.”

This study will examine the recruitment of non-active fire service response support personnel (former firefighters and other emergency responders) as well as citizen advocates, especially those who would volunteer under the Fire Corps program, and examine the effective retention of members currently serving in this role. It also will illustrate the important function currently provided by these emergency support professionals to some fire departments.

This study is supported by the Office of State and Local Government Preparedness and Coordination's Fire Corps Program. As a program partner of President George W. Bush's grass-roots initiative Citizen Corps, Fire Corps will work through local Citizen Corps Councils across the country to offer citizens education, training and volunteer opportunities. Fire Corps is a partnership between the International Association of Fire Fighters, the National Volunteer Fire Council, and the Department of Homeland Security's USFA and OSLGPC.

“Americans across the nation are helping strengthen their local fire service community through the Fire Corps program, volunteering their limited time to educate others on fire safety and fire prevention, and assisting with other non-emergency tasks,” said Matt A. Mayer, OSLGPC acting executive director. “The results of this study will provide more opportunity for citizens to renew their commitment to personally helping ensure that their community is better prepared and protected.”

Information developed from this study will be incorporated into a detailed guide on recruitment and retention of fire service traffic control professionals, disseminated via ResponderSafety.com.