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Implement a Program

Use these resources to start, manage, or expand your Fire Corps program.

 

Resource Guides and Toolkits

Fire Corps Department Starter Kit (Second Edition)
This Starter Kit is a complete compilation of the tools and resources a department needs to start, implement, and market a local Fire Corps program. Included in the Starter Kit are the Fire Corps Resource Guide, sample documents, marketing and recruitment resources, and organizational resources. You must be registered with Fire Corps to download this resource.

Fire Corps Resource Guide (Third Edition)
The Fire Corps Resource Guide is designed to help fire/EMS departments wishing to establish or enhance Fire Corps programs. The Resource Guide includes information on starting and administering a local Fire Corps program, enhancing an existing Fire Corps program, recruiting and retaining citizen advocates, and much more. It also includes profiles of several successful Fire Corps programs and sample documentation. Fire Corps would like to thank the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Bureau of Justice Assistance, and the Volunteers in Police Service Program for their contributions and support in the creation of this Resource Guide.

Recruitment and Retention Guide: Understanding Volunteerism Today and For the Future
Retention and recruitment of volunteers is critical to the success of any program, yet both can pose significant challenges to the organization seeking help. The Fire Corps Retention and Recruitment Guide will help fire and emergency service departments understand volunteerism today and provides ideas and suggestions for retaining and recruiting volunteers for Fire Corps programs. You must be registered with Fire Corps to access this resource.

100 Activity Ideas for Fire Corps Volunteers
Looking for activities that your Fire Corps members can perform in the department or community? Fire Corps has compiled this list of 100 activity ideas to help you find new or expanded tasks for your Fire Corps team and to inspire your program to generate additional ideas of what your team can do.

55 Ways to Reward your Fire Corps Volunteers
Looking for new ways to say thank you to your Fire Corps volunteers and show them how much you and the department appreciate their efforts? Find ideas for acknowledging the hard work of your Fire Corps team with this list of ways to reward your volunteers.

Fire Corps Grassroots Forums Report
Fire Corps hosted four grassroots forums in 2009 and 2010 to identify best practices, challenges, effective retention and recruitment practices, recommendations, and feedback for Fire Corps from the local level. This report is a compendium of ideas and information gathered through the four events, including challenges, innovative practices, and recommendations to strengthen the Fire Corps program. Local Fire Corps programs can also use the report to learn and benefit from the experience of others.

Fire Corps Toolkit For Citizen Corps Councils (Second Edition)
Created by Fire Corps specifically for Citizen Corps Councils, thisToolkit is a compilation of the tools and resources needed to promote and support Fire Corps programs in your region, state, or community. The Toolkit includes sample documents, a Starter Kit that can be disseminated to departments, brochures, promotional videos and PSAs, and other resources aimed at helping Citizen Corps Councils reach out to local fire and emergency service departments as well as to citizen volunteers.

CERT & Fire Corps: Working Together To Build Stronger Communities
This guide outlines how CERT and Fire Corps can work together to build stronger communities. It looks at the challenges faced by both programs and shows how working together can help overcome these challenges. This guide also includes profiles of departments that have successfully combined their CERT and Fire Corps efforts to develop a comprehensive program that benefits fire and emergency service departments and the communities they serve. You must be registered with Fire Corps to access this resource.

Home Safety Checklist
Fire Corps has created the Home Safety Checklist to help your Fire Corps team implement a home safety check program in your community. The Checklist provides a basic, step-by-step approach to ensure residents in your community are safer and more secure. Use this Checklist to identify hazards in and around the home, as well as hazards that are associated with a variety of household situations, including those where children, older residents, pets, and/or those with disabilities may reside. You must be registered with Fire Corps to access this resource. To order printed copies of the Home Safety Checklist, fill out the Fire Corps Resource Request form and return to Fire Corps at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it email or fax to 202-887-5291. Click here to learn how to install a SA340CN 10-year smoke and fire alarm with this demonstration video from First Alert.

Smoke Alarm Request Form
In an effort to assist your program in providing critical services to your community, Fire Corps has partnered with First Alert to provide a smoke alarm donation program for registered Fire Corps programs. Your program may apply for these free smoke alarms by filling out the Smoke Alarm Request Form. You must be registered with Fire Corps to access this resource. Please keep in mind that quantities are limited and restrictions apply. Click here to learn how to install a SA340CN 10-year smoke and fire alarm with this demonstration video from First Alert.

Getting Started With Firewise
Fire Corps and the National Fire Protection Association’s Firewise Communities program partnered to develop a Firewise toolkit. Getting Started With Firewise provides information about building and maintaining communities in a way that is compatible with our natural surroundings and can be used by Fire Corps teams across the nation to help protect property and natural resources from the threat of wildland fires. The toolkit is available to all registered Fire Corps programs. To order, fill out the Fire Corps Resource Request form and return to Fire Corps at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it email or fax to 202-887-5291. You must be registered with Fire Corps to access this resource.

All-Ways Fire Safe at Home Module
Fire Corps and the Home Safety Council (HSC) have partnered to develop a fire safety module that can be used by Fire Corps teams across the nation to implement a comprehensive fire and life safety public education program at the local level. Based on the HSC's All-Ways Fire Safe at Home program, this module is comprised of four fire safety education programs that Fire Corps teams can use to promote fire and life safety to community members in different stages of life, from preschool to older adult. To order, fill out the Fire Corps Resource Request form  and return to Fire Corps at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it email or fax to 202-887-5291. You must be registered with Fire Corps to access this resource.

Obtaining 501 (c)(3) Status for Your Fire Corps Program
Outlines the steps to obtaining 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status for your Fire Corps program. You must be registered with Fire Corps to access this resource.

Liability

Fire Corps Liability Guide
Fire Corps partnered with the Public Entity Risk Institute to release this Guide that identifies and addresses liability issues related to operating a Fire Corps program. You must be registered with Fire Corps to access this resource.

Fire Corps Liability Presentation
This PowerPoint presentation provides an overview to educate department and Fire Corps members about liability issues relating to Fire Corps. You must be registered with Fire Corps to access this resource.

State Liability Laws for Charitable Organizations and Volunteers - 4th Edition
Beginning with an overview of the liability environment, this publication provides a state-by-state review of the evolving landscape of charitable immunity and volunteer protection laws. 

Background Checks
Fire Corps has partnered with IntelliCorps Records Inc. to provide registered Fire Corps programs with an economical way to conduct background screenings for Fire Corps applicants and members. Conducting background checks on new applicants and members can be a vital component of mitigating liability and risks associated with having a non-operational volunteer program in your fire department. Through this special benefit, registered Fire Corps programs receive a 50 percent savings on background screening products and solutions. Registered Fire Corps programs can click here to take advantage of this benefit.

Grants and Funding

Fire Corps is intended to be a low-cost way to increase your department's capacity and services, but there may be some costs associated with starting, implementing, expanding, and marketing your program depending on the activities and initiatives you choose. Click here to learn more about funding opportunities and resources available.

Sample and Customizable Documents

  • Introduction to Fire Corps (PowerPoint)
    Use this PowerPoint to educate your department's leaders and personnel, as well as members of your community, about the mission, background, and value of implementing a Fire Corps program. Use this presentation as-is or tailor it to reflect your department’s needs. You may consider adding specific information about your state, region, and department or listing the individual roles that Fire Corps members can fulfill within your organization.
  • Mesa (AZ) Fire Department
    Volunteer Time Log - Use the tabs at the bottom of the Excel sheet to switch between months. For the Hours calculation formula to work, enter time in HH:MM format for 'In' and 'Out'. Enter additional time (Addl) as a two decimal number (ex, 2.50).
  • Northwest Fire District (AZ)
    Training Procedures (PDF)