Volunteers Serving Springfield Township
After 13-years of service, serving as both Sergeant of the Fire Police unit, as well as Chaplain of the Flourtown Fire Company, Marica Thompson is retiring to sunny Florida.
The members of the Flourtown Fire Company thank you for your years of dedication, and we appreciate all that you have done. Enjoy your retirement, Marcia!
Pictured above, are Banquet & Awards Committee Chairman, Rob Brzezinski presenting Marcia with her service award
Flourtown Fire Company was recently recognized for our efforts in the recruitment and retention of new members by the Pennsylvania State Firemen’s Association. The mentoring program was formally adopted by the fire company in 2008, as a result of the efforts of Captain Chris Manning, who has spent countless hours developing, refining, and leading the program to make it a success.
Below, are some highlights of the program that illustrate why it has been so successful in Flourtown Fire Company’s recruitment and retention of new members.
Purpose of the Mentoring Program
The Flourtown Fire Company believes that through quality training, the availability of leading edge equipment and the guidance and support of a senior member, new members will be able to make great achievements in their career as a firefighter. With this philosophy the mentoring program is designed to give new members every advantage and opportunity to become a successful member of the Flourtown Fire Company.
The program is administered by the Mentor Program Coordinator, Fire Chief and Training Officer with the assistance of a Mentoring Committee intended to assist in program review and development.
Mentoring Program Highlights
The Mentoring Program is designed to be as detailed as possible for the mentors and the new members so that a truly structured program can be presented with consistency for all involved. Elements of the program include:
Program Success by the Numbers
The Mentoring Program has had a total of 32 personnel that have either completed the program or that are currently enrolled. Of the 32 personnel a total of 24 have been retained leaving five personnel that left due to commitments to education, military service or family. Those five members are considered excused dismissals, while three personnel could not meet expectations of the program and were removed.
Nine firefighters started the program as junior firefighters and are now regular members.
Five of the members that were mentees in the program have moved on to become mentors.
One member that began as a mentee now holds an elected administrative position in the company.
The following information shows how the retention of mentees have been able to replace members lost due to attrition as well as bolstering membership by eight working force fire personnel since 2008:
One of Flourtown’s own, Tyler Buckley is making the exciting career move from volunteer firefighter to a paid career firefighter in Montgomery County, Maryland.
Tyler made this exciting move over the weekend, and he begins probationary training today at the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Fire Department Fire Academy.
His career began at Flourtown Fire Company as a junior firefighter in 2008, he has achieved numerous fire fighting certifications since then becoming an asset to the Flourtown Fire Company.
As much as you will be missed, we wish you all the best as you embark on this new chapter in your life. Good luck, stay safe, and make sure you come back and visit!
To learn more about Tyler please visit his department profile page.
It’s hard to believe that the first half of 2014 is over. To help us remember the first 6-months of the year, firefighter Greg Fasold put together a video for us!
After many decades of service, Flourtown Fire Company outgrew the old storage pavilion that was behind the firehouse. A new larger building is currently being constructed to meet our need to store maintenance equipment, fire equipment, training props, as well as various other items.
Keep checking back regularly, because photos will continue to be added as the building is constructed.
