This past weekend a highly anticipated training class was held at the Angleton Volunteer Fire Department’s main fire station.

The two-day Recruitment & Retention Coordinators Certification Course (RRCCC) was presented by a team of instructors from the International Association of Fire Chiefs, Volunteer Workforce Solutions Group.

The RRCCC training has been presented throughout the United States since 2016 and has proven to be very successful in increasing the number of new volunteers serving with volunteer fire departments.

During 2019 and early 2020, there were 14 RRCCC classes conducted with 157 students receiving certification.

“During a monthly BCESD 3 Board Meeting last summer, I was directed to seek more effective ways to recruit volunteers into the various volunteer fire departments within the District. I had discussions with several fire chiefs in the area and it was suggested that I look into the IAFC RRCCC class,” said Dan Key, BCESD 3 Fire Specialist.

The RRCCC Program Manager, Spencer Cheatham, suggested presenting the course live in Brazoria County. Cheatham, from Virginia, and three additional instructors from Texas, New York, and Connecticut presented the class March 27^th and 28^th and adhered to a strict CDC COVID-19 procedure. Key acted as a course liaison as well as the COVID-19 protocol venue representative responsible for enforcing the COVID-19 protocols.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the class size was limited to a total of 24 attendees. A total of 19 students attended the course.

“I was very impressed with the level of participation by all 19 of the students who attended the class and I really appreciate the assistance of Angleton VFD Chief Scott Meyers for providing the venue as well as hosting a networking dinner on Saturday night for the students and course instructors,” said Key.

The course was partially paid for by a grant from the Texas A&M Forest Service.

Lunch and refreshments were provided on both days by Siddons-Martin Emergency Group, an authorized dealer for Pierce Manufacturing; Oshkosh Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting; Braun, Crestline, Demers, Road Rescue, and Wheeled Coach ambulances; and Skeeter Brush Trucks.

Opening remarks were delivered on Saturday morning by BCESD 3 Commissioner Frank Hagdorn who thanked the volunteers for their dedication and attendance.

“I have been a fire service instructor for over 40 years and I must say this course was extremely informative and I believe it will pay many dividends to the area’s volunteer fire departments to address the critical need for volunteers as we see diminishing volunteerism in our society,” said Key.

If you are interested in volunteering with one of the ten fire departments within BCESD 3, please contact Dan Key via e-mail at dannykey@yahoo.com.