Have you ever asked yourself, “Am I willing to help?” Well this is indeed the question Dawson County Emergency Services is asking you.

Dawson County Emergency Services has evolved from a volunteer department to a combination department where career and volunteer firefighters are utilized. There is a national trend in the shrinking numbers of volunteers who come forward and commit themselves to help their own community. Dawson County is among those communities.

While Dawson County currently staffs four of its seven stations daily; paid staffing falls below the nationally recommended minimum. “Here is where volunteer members play a critical role in our service delivery plan,” states Chief of Emergency Services, Lanier Swafford.

So…what can I do to help?

Chief Swafford asks, “Are you 18 years old and able to pass a physical agility test? Are you willing to devote time to complete a recruit school? Are you willing to devote time after graduation to continue to train and answer alarms for service? Do you live in Dawson County? Well if you can say yes to these questions, Dawson County Emergency Services needs you!”

“Volunteer staffing at two of our seven stations is at an all time low,” Swafford said. “We still rely heavily on our volunteer force and we must now begin an aggressive recruiting and retention plan to address these voids,” he continued.

A recruit class is scheduled to begin in March. Volunteers are desperately needed in the area around the City of Dawsonville and the Juno/Emma community. “Other areas throughout the county also need volunteers,” Swafford stated, “however, these two areas are our primary concern.”

Recruit training will cover topics such as basic structural fire control, medical first responder, hazardous materials response, fire and life safety education, along with training on the National Incident Response plans and models.

Completion of this recruit training will prepare a student for a career as a volunteer and could possibly open career doors in emergency services if the person so desires.

If this offer appeals to you, contact Dawson County Emergency Services at (706) 344-3666 or come by the station office at 393 Memory Lane, Dawsonville, Georgia.