Facts about Volunteerism in America

Facts about Volunteerism in America
Recruiting, Training, and Maintaining Volunteer Firefighters 3^rdEdition

“This form of public service embodies the American values of democracy, patriotism, and individual freedoms.” (Jacobs, 1976)

• Three-fourths of the United States is protected by volunteer firefighters
• There are approximately 1,000,000 volunteer firefighters in the United States
• Volunteers donate approximately 65 million hours each year in the United States
• Volunteer time is valued at $105 billion
• There are approximately 27,000 volunteer departments in the United States
• There is a 3% annual increase in volunteers in the United States
• Volunteerism is on the upswing, it is a Fallacy that volunteerism is dying
• Over 200 new volunteer organizations are formed each day in the U.S.

Famous Volunteer Firefighters In America

• George Washington
• Thomas Jefferson
• John Hancock
• Ben Franklin
• Paul Revere
• Samuel Adams
• Alexander Hamilton
• John Ray
• Aaron Burr
• Benedict Arnold

Distinguished Features of Volunteer Firefighters

• Traditional by Nature
• Grassroots Origin
• Autonomy – “don’t tread on me”
• Service Monopoly
• Solidarity –“trust and teamwork”
• Focus for Leisure (Jacobs & Lozier, 1976; Perkins, 1987a, 1987b)

The Stayton Fire District is looking for volunteers, if you want to face a new challenge, commit yourself to a new idea and be a part of a dynamic group of fellow volunteers, give us a call.   (503) 769-2601