Steps to Implement the 1-800-FIRE-LINE Number in Your State

Step 1:  Choose the Statewide Organization to Operate 1-800-FIRE-LINE
Determine which organization on a statewide level will be responsible for coordinating the 1-800-FIRE-LINE program. This may be the state fire marshal’s office, the state firefighters association, a statewide fire training organization/center, the state fire program office, or the state EMS office.

Step 2:  Establish Statewide 1-800-FIRE-LINE Coordinator and Answering Point
Establish a statewide coordinator for 1-800-FIRE-LINE. This person should be affiliated with the statewide organization chosen in Step 1. You will also need to establish who will be the answering point for 1-800-FIRE-LINE calls. The answering point could be the central office for the organization chosen in Step 1. Calls to this number might be fielded by a person during normal business hours and by an answering machine during other times, or the line may be answered by an answering machine 24 hours a day.

Step 3 — Determine Who Will Take Part in the 1-800-FIRE-LINE Campaign
Determine which emergency services organizations in your state will be included in the 1-800-FIRE-LINE campaign. Even though the toll-free number mentions only "fire," the program can benefit any emergency service organization that accepts operational and non-operational volunteers. Your state should consider including all emergency service organizations in the recruitment program, including fire departments, rescue squads, EMS agencies, police/sheriff auxiliaries, search and rescue teams, the state emergency preparedness office, Coast Guard auxiliary, canine rescue, wildland firefighters, etc.

Step 4 — Establish Local 1-800-FIRE-LINE Contacts
Determine who will be the local 1-800-FIRE-LINE contacts and create a list of these individuals. The person who answers the statewide 1-800-FIRE-LINE number will forward on the names of potential volunteers to the local contacts. In most cases, the local fire department and rescue squad chiefs will be the contacts on the local level. Most states implementing the 1-800-FIRE-LINE program have found it easiest to send a letter to the local fire or rescue chiefs informing them about the program and stating they will be listed as the local contact unless they request otherwise. The list of contacts should be kept in a single database, which should be alphabetized by locality so that the statewide answering point for 1-800-FIRE-LINE can quickly reference the contact for a specific locality when a call is received.

Step 5 — Connect to the 1-800-1-800-FIRE-LINE Number
To connect your state to the 1-800-FIRE-LINE campaign, download and complete the State Registration Form. After you have completed the form, send the form to:

Fire Corps
1050 17th Street NW, Suite 490
Washington, DC  20036
Fax: 202-887-5291

Fire Corps will register your information with AT&T, the official 1-800-FIRE-LINE carrier. Phone calls from your state to 1-800-FIRE-LINE can be redirected to any new or existing local phone number. The cost of having 1-800-FIRE-LINE in your state is approximately $15–$20 per month. This expense must be covered by your state; however, the State Contract for Grant Funding can provide assistance with this expense.

Step 6 — Ensure 24-hour Coverage
To ensure 24-hour coverage of 1-800-FIRE-LINE, you should set up an answering machine or voice mail system to answer calls received 24 hours a day. The voice mail message could say:

Thank you for calling 1-800-FIRE-LINE, a service proudly brought to you by Fire Corps, the Department of Homeland Security, and [Insert Organizational Name Here]. Whether you wish to become a volunteer firefighter, EMT, or prefer to assist your local department in a non-emergency role by participating in a local Fire Corps program, 1-800-FIRE-LINE can help. Speaking slowly and clearly, please leave your name, phone number with area code, state and zip code so that we can contact you with information about opportunities in your area.”

It is recommended that you follow up with callers by mailing a flyer or brochure that provides an overview of opportunities for volunteers in the area. You should also provide them with a local point of contact for more information (e.g. local fire or rescue chief, wilderness search and rescue coordinator, etc.). Some states utilizing 1-800-FIRE-LINE also forward the information about prospective volunteers to the local 1-800-FIRE-LINE Points of Contact so they can follow up directly with interested callers in their area.

Step 7 — Publicize the New Number
Publicize the 1-800-FIRE-LINE number to the public and to emergency services organizations in your state. Public service announcements, advertisements, press releases, and promotional videos presented in your local community will help raise awareness and interest for your 1-800-FIRE-LINE campaign. The residents must know about the toll-free number in order for the phones to ring!