Firefighters serve their communities in a unique and impactful way—going into the emergency when everyone else is going out. But what many people don’t realize is that the majority of firefighters in the U.S. are volunteers. These are neighbors helping neighbors when they need it most. It is this commitment to service and giving back that Mike Rowe highlights on the May 28 episode of The Way I Heard It podcast.
Episode #387 features conversations with Dr. Candice McDonald, a volunteer firefighter/EMT in Ohio and deputy CEO of the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), and Jonathan Dayton, a volunteer firefighter/EMT in Maryland. The conversation delves into the motivations, experiences, challenges, and benefits of being a volunteer in the fire service. McDonald also encourages those interested in the volunteer fire service to visit www.MakeMeAFirefighter.org to learn more and find a local opportunity.
“We are thankful to Mike Rowe for shining the national spotlight on the volunteer fire service and showcasing to the public what it means to be a volunteer,” said McDonald. “This platform will open the door to the volunteer fire service for many members of the public and provides a great opportunity for local departments to recruit new members through the Make Me A Firefighter campaign.”
Volunteer fire and EMS departments can take advantage of the increased awareness and interest in the volunteer fire service in the following ways:
- Listen to the podcast at: https://bit.ly/MMAFFNVFC.
- Visit Rowe’s Facebook, Instagram, or X or the NVFC’s Facebook, Instagram, X, or LinkedIn and share the posts about the podcast with your connections and in your community.
- Sign up with the NVFC’s free Make Me A Firefighter campaign at https://portal.nvfc.org and post your volunteer opportunities so prospective volunteers can find them.
The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe is available at https://bit.ly/MMAFFNVFC or wherever you listen to your podcasts. The Way I Heard It podcast started as a series of short mysteries for the curious mind with a short attention span and has evolved into enlightening conversations with a variety of guests—entrepreneurs, authors, reporters, veterans, sports professionals, TV personalities, bloody do-gooders, and more – for the no-so-short attention span. Delivered with Rowe’s signature blend of charm, wit, and ingenuity, The Way I Heard It is a veritable box of chocolates, because you never know what you’re going to get.
