MESA, AZ – The volunteer facet of the Mesa Fire Department was recognized on Tuesday for its outstanding performance in their community.
The Mesa Fire Department Volunteer Corps was given the Fire Corps Award of Excellence for achievements in services and responses to numerous emergencies.
In 2008 alone the Volunteer Corps provided over 2,900 hours of service, responded to 3,800 calls, and saved the fire department and community about $580,000.
"The range of activities and accomplishments of the Mesa Fire Department Volunteer Corps is truly inspiring," said Sarah Lee, the Director of Fire Corps. "This team of volunteers has demonstrated how a department can significantly expand and enhance their services by utilizing community members to perform non-emergency tasks. The work of the Fire Corps members has greatly benefited the department and the entire community."
The Volunteer Corps is currently comprised of 152 active members and is broken up into five distinct programs or teams.
The largest of the five is the Connector program which aids in emergency scene transportation, fire victim assistance and more.
Other main programs are the Community Response Team, which helps with grief counseling for local residents, and the Home Safety Inspection Team which provides free home inspections to evaluate residence safety.
