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Maryland Volunteer Fire / Rescue / EMS Book Project

I NEED YOUR STORY

To contribute your story electronically through the web, click here

To contribute your story by mail, or for information in Adobe Acrobat format, click here

Note:  This document requires Adobe Acrobat Reader, available through this link for free download.

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News Update: June 2005

    This website is live!  I am "winging" this website design on my own.  I learn a little something new every day.  

    First, thanks for your interest. I truly appreciate your valuable time.  I am embarking on a book project.  I am seeking stories from Maryland volunteer firefighters/EMTs.  Daring escapes, funny escapades, and life-changing moments...all are welcome.  Submissions can be sent electronically (see link above) or by mail (see Adobe Acrobat PDF document link above).  While I cannot compensate anyone directly for their contributions, I do intend (pending successful publication) to donate a portion of the proceeds to the volunteer departments of the contributors I select for inclusion in the book.  

    If you think this project sounds like a good idea, please share this site with your fellow "vollies" and encourage them to participate.  For the moment, I am limiting submissions to Maryland volunteer departments.  Check back to this page for news and updates. 

Frequently Asked Questions:

    My Background:  My civilian career is a Planning Analyst with Baltimore County Public Schools, where I deal in statistics, projections, Geographic Information Systems, technology, and school planning.   I have been volunteering for about 10 years, most of those at Arbutus VFD, where I currently serve on the Board of Directors and as an active firefighter/EMT.  I have a BA in Fine Arts from St. Mary's College.  I have significant experience in creative and analytical writing.  I prepare and deliver communications and multimedia presentations for administrators, elected officials, parent groups, and the public.

    Why am I undertaking this project?  I have several reasons.  In part, this is a personal business venture.  I am starting this project with my own personal equipment, time, and funds.  The real benefit of this project, however, is not my personal gain.  It is the sharing of the volunteer experience with the world, in a time where volunteerism is endangered and greatly needed.  One area where volunteer departments suffer is promotion, recruitment, and retention.  The average life span of a volunteer is very short...approximately two years.  The challenge is to generate new interest, and retain interest by creating a positive environment where members want to stay and succeed.  I can't help with the latter part, but through your stories, I can help spark interest.  If successfully published, this book has a potential to reach a wide audience.  

    What is the time frame for publication?  This is unknown right now.  It will largely depend on the volume of submissions I receive.  I am working on this project on evenings and weekends.  It will take some time to review the submissions, make selections, and conduct research and interviews.  Ideally, I would like to be ready to publish by June 2007.

    How much money will be donated?  I honestly do not know at this time.  It will largely depend on the volume of submissions, expenses on this project, and of course the big unknown, how much money the project will generate.  I believe this will largely be contingent on the reputation and distribution capabilities of a publisher, which has not yet been secured. 

   Questions or comments so far?  Email me here.