GREENVILLE TWP — A local volunteer firefighter is hoping to promote fire safety in the community, and, in the process, earn his department and community valuable fire-fighting tools, by participating in an online video contest.
Colleagues at the Greenville Township Fire Department are paying tribute to Troy Weber, a longtime volunteer firefighter with the department, in a video posted online as part of the Kidde Fire Safety “Step Up and Stand Out” campaign, which aims to recognize current volunteer firefighters through a nationwide contest.
In the video, Greenville Township Fire Chief Ken Stiefel says, “If I could have a hundred ‘Troy Webers’ I would have no worries in the world. I’d know we always have attendance, he never misses a call.”
Many of Weber’s fellow firefighters are also shown praising the longtime volunteer.
Weber started as a volunteer firefighter at the age of 16 and has 34 years of experience.
“My philosophy is, I’m here to serve and protect the community,”says Weber in the video, “That’s all I’m here for.”
According to Katie Wilson, Kidde Fire Safety representative, 87 percent of America’s 30,000 fire departments — and 83 percent of Ohio’s departments — are either fully or partially staffed by volunteers.
“Volunteer firefighters act as the first line of defense in an emergency,” she said, “Yet, the number of volunteer firefighters is steadily declining, and the current force is aging.”
Weber’s video in the Kidde contest that could earn Greenville Township Fire Department much needed supplies (such as 200 10-year battery smoke alarms for the community), tool kits and resources, and educational training and opportunities — and at the same time earn Weber national recognition for his commitment and dedicated service to the department.
Citizens of Greenville Township and other nearby communities, or anyone, can help Weber’s quest by casting a vote for Greenville Township Fire Department’s video. The five videos with the most votes will be named the Five Finalists — and will go on to another voting period to determine the grand prize winner.
The five finalists will be announced at International Association of Fire Chiefs’ Annual Conference & Expo on August 18, 2016. A final public vote will then determine a grand prize winner who will be announced at Firehouse Expo in October. The finalists and grand prize winners will receive Kidde smoke alarm donations, safety grants, an NFPA Fire Prevention Week Kit, and more.
To see what Weber’s peers have to say about his service to the community and to vote for Weber in this contest — visit woobox.com/woodoh, find the “Troy Weber” video, and click on the “Vote” button, then watch the video. Visitors to the site can vote once per day. Voting to select the five finalists ends July 31.
Twitter users may also follow the hashtag #StepUpStandOut for campaign updates.
