While firefighters in Atwater are taking to the streets to recruit new volunteers, other departments are heading to the schools. In Belle Plain, Minnesota, high school seniors 18 and older who meet a certain grade-point average can now respond to fires during school hours. The hope is that more young people will become interested in the profession and find a reason to stay in town after graduation. In Mankato, college students who volunteer for duty are given free room and board at the fire station. The National Fire Council has begun an ad campaign to recruit new volunteers.
Billboards advertise local fire departments and provide a phone number for details.
Because of the dwindling number of volunteer firefighters in Minnesota, the ads will be going up around the state soon. Major funding for Minnesota Public Radio's regional Internet activities is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.