The purpose of the Volunteer Mentor Program is to provide new prospective members with the appropriate support needed to become productive volunteers.

Increase the participation rate of prospective members

Strengthen the Department’s ability to proactively retain interested members

Increase the participation of current members

Create a positive environment for all members

Once the application has been submitted to the Department Membership Coordinator for forwarding to the Fire Commission, the applicant is assigned to an appropriate officer, dependent upon the applicants' interests. The following will dictate to which officer an applicant will be assigned:

Combination Fire and EMS (Any Station Officer)

EMS Only Member (Station EMS Officer)

Auxiliary Member (Any Station Officer)

The assigned officers will periodically follow-up with prospective members throughout the application process. Since the intent is to keep the applicant involved and motivated to become a volunteer, a significant effort is placed on including them in BVFD activities. To accomplish this goal, station officers are committed to conduct the following:

Invite prospective members to observe station/departmental drills

Invite prospective members to participate in fire prevention activities

Invite prospective members to visit during assigned station officer’s duty schedule

1. Understand prospective members motivation

Volunteer only

Progression route to career status

Continuing education and/or professional school

2. Register prospective member for initial classes

Volunteer Recruit School

Emergency Medical Technician

Fire Fighter I

3. Discuss and plan timeframe for completing additional training courses

4. Discuss and plan Prince George's County Fire/Department In-Service Training

Fit Test

Infectious Control

Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC)

Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation and Automatic Electronic Defibrillator (CPR/AED)

Hazardous Materials

Did the mentoring process fulfill your needs?

What can we do to improve the program?

What did you like most about the program?

What did you like least about the program?

Were the training opportunities sufficient?

Did your duty officer maintain contact throughout the process?

Did other members assist you when you had questions or concerns?

Were your questions answered sufficiently?

Would you be willing to serve as a mentor?

The intention of the Volunteer Mentoring Program is to reenergize the Station’s capability to recruit and retain prospective members by taking a proactive approach from the beginning of the application process. Station 39 will have line officers assigned to guide prospective members through the entire process, providing the appropriate guidance and support needed.