About VFI:
I launched Volunteer Firefighter International as an online community dedicated to non-career firefighters across the globe, because brotherhood doesn’t begin and end at town, county or country borders and I saw an unmet need. I promise to bring you news and insights that help you get home safe, improve your department and better serve your community — no matter where you call home.
I understand how the needs of volunteer and part-time firefighters differ from those of our career sisters and brothers. I’ve spent more than 10 years as a paid on-call firefighter and just as long helping mostly volunteer firefighters around the world with the fire service humanitarian aid group the International Fire Relief Mission. I also volunteer my time to Firefighter Close Calls, a nonprofit site dedicated to keeping firefighters safe. And I am a career editor and writer who has led two top U.S.-based fire service publications and had my work appear in numerous others fire service outlets. Recently, I’ve been helping mostly volunteer fire departments secure AFG grant funding.
Nearly all the volunteer and part-time firefighters I’ve met across the world are dedicated, selfless individuals who love serving their communities. Volunteer Firefighter International will look at firefighter safety, health, equipment, finance, leadership and organization through the unique lens of volunteer service. We will celebrate our wins, learn from our mistakes and share our common passion for helping others.
Thank you for spending time on Volunteer Firefighter International. Stay safe, stay informed, stay dedicated.
Rick Markley
VFI Publisher
[email protected]
