Fire marshal seeks home safety program volunteers

The Vancouver Fire Marshal’s Office is looking for volunteers to help with its home fire safety program.

Fire Corps is a national volunteer program where residents help departments with fire safety outreach.

Volunteers for Vancouver’s program would work directly with fire marshal’s office staff, visiting homes and sharing information with them about how to prevent the three most common causes of home fires in the city: cooking, smoking and candles.

“We rely on our Fire Corps volunteers to help us connect with and educate our citizens about fire and life safety,” Vancouver Fire Marshal Heidi Scarpelli said in a news release. “Anyone who is interested in helping to make our city safer is encouraged to apply.”

The office received a $142,753 federal grant for its Project HomeSafe public education campaign last September.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens, at least 16 years old, pass a background check and complete Fire Corps training. They also must be willing to commit to participating in five volunteer events and attend a minimum of seven monthly meetings per year. Applications will be accepted through the end of March.

Would-be volunteers can find more information, or apply, online at www.cityofvancouver.us/firecorps.