The events will be held during National Fire Prevention Week, continuing nationwide momentum supported by International Association of Fire Chiefs

MCLEAN, Va., Sept. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Twenty fire departments across 13 states are opening their doors during and around National Fire Prevention Week (October 4-10), inviting the public to meet firefighters and see what it takes to serve their community. These events are part of a nationwide push to recruit the next generation of firefighters.

Since April, the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) recruitment campaign, "A Hustle Worth Having," has sparked interest from thousands of prospective volunteers and departments in all 50 states, as well as Washington D.C. To continue to showcase the value individuals can get out of serving their community in the fire service, departments will be hosting a variety of events to educate the public on ways to get involved.

"We know sometimes it just takes one interaction with the fire service to change someone's life and inspire them to get involved," said IAFC Volunteer & Combination Officers Section Board Member Jason Caughey, who also serves as the Fire Chief of Laramie County Fire Authority in Wyoming. "We hope that by opening our doors to the community during Fire Prevention Week, we are able to have meaningful conversations with our community members to educate them about what this job entails and how they can step up to serve."

The following departments will be participating and are available for media interviews:

• Colorado: Genesee Fire Rescue – 23455 Currant Drive, Golden, CO 80401
  • Throughout Fire Prevention Week (Oct. 4-10) | Behind the scenes tours and informational sessions will be available upon request.
• Illinois: Minooka Fire Protection District – 1001 Twin Rail Drive, Minooka, IL 60447 
  • Saturday, October 10 from 10 AM - 1 PM | Annual open house at the new training facility with guided tour through training tower, helicopter + extrication + water safety demonstrations.
• Indiana: Batesville Fire Department – 115 E Catherine Street, Batesville, Indiana 47006
  • Saturday, October 10 from 10 AM - noon | They will have an inflatable safety house set up, free hot dogs, fire prevention materials, and equipment on display. They will also have a recruitment area set up for potential volunteers.
• Indiana: Daleville Fire Department – 14010 W Daleville Road, Daleville, IN 47334
  • Saturday, October 10 from 4 - 8 PM | Annual pork chop dinner
• Indiana: Galveston Fire Department – 101 E Jackson, ST Galveston, IN 46932
  • Saturday, October 3 from 4 to 8 PM | Free-will donation Fish Fry with silent auction, goodie bags for kids, fire trucks on display and fire safety educational opportunities. 
• Indiana: Monroe Fire Protection District – 7640 S Old State Rd 37, Bloomington, IN 47403
  • Thursday, October 15 at 5:30 PM | Starlite Drive-In Trunk or Treat
• Kansas: Ellis County Fire Department – 1105 East 22nd Street, Hays, KS 67601
  • Saturday, October 3 from 4 to 7 PM | Family-friendly open house including activities for kids, bounce house, raffles, fire equipment demonstrations, fundraiser for new fire training facility
• Maryland: Burtonsville Volunteer Fire Dept. – 13900 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904
  • Saturday, October 10 from noon to 4 PM | Family-friendly open house with kids' firefighter skills obstacle course, free face painting, educational activities and live demonstrations. Marshall from Paw Patrol on Nick Jr. will also make an appearance! 
• Michigan: Troy Fire Department – all six Troy fire stations: 1019 East Big Beaver, 5600 Livernois, 2400 West Big Beaver, 2117 East Maple, 6399 John R, and 5901 Coolidge; Troy, MI 48084
  • Sunday, October 4 from 1-4 PM | Open house with firefighter demonstrations, hands-on activities, station tours and children's activities and giveaways.
• Minnesota: Inver Grove Heights Fire Department – 9200 Courthouse Blvd, Inver Grove Heights, MN 55077
  • Thursday October 8 from 5:30 - 8:00 PM | Try on firefighter gear, practice a safe escape from a fire, get your picture taken in a fire truck, see the IGHFD Fire Boats, win prizes, and practice the skills that firefighters use. There will be popcorn, cookies, lemonade and more!
• Montana: Columbus Fire Rescue – 944 E. Pike Ave, Columbus, MT 59019
  • Wednesday, October 7 from 6 to 8 PM | Open house with free hot dogs + hamburgers, interactive training/fire prevention stations including a fire prevention/smoke trailer, little firefighter obstacle course, fire extinguisher training, and wildfire mitigation information
• New York: Northport Fire Department – 204 Main Street, Northport, NY 11768
  • Saturday, October 17 from noon to 2 PM | There will be 8 fire safety learning stations for children, a live burn demonstration behind the firehouse and visitors will be given the opportunity to see first-hand what it's like to be a firefighter by hosing down the debris.
• Pennsylvania: Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Company – 20727 Route 19 Ste 21, Cranberry Township, PA, 16066
  • Throughout Fire Prevention Week (Oct. 4-10) | Behind the scenes tours and informational sessions will be available upon request.
• Pennsylvania: Ross Township Evergreen Volunteer Fire Company – 2127 Babcock Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15209
  • Sunday, October 4 from 1 - 4 PM | Open house with family fun, fire safety, community resources, and getting to know your local volunteer firefighters.
• Tennessee: Hardin County Fire – Community Fire Prevention Day at Lowe's – 1895 Wayne Road, Savannah, TN 38372
  • Saturday, October 10 from 10 AM - 1 PM | Take a walk down Sparky's Sweet Street to grab candy and see Sparky himself. Halloween costumes are encouraged! Bounce houses and other activities will also be available and a live burn will take place at 12 PM.
• Vermont: Hinesburg Fire Department – 10340 Route 116, Hinesburg, VT
  • Saturday, October 10 from 9 AM - 1 PM | Open house with fire truck + station tours, firefighter gear demonstrations, and activities for the kids.
• Virginia: Boones Mill Volunteer Fire Department – 25355 Virgil H Goode Hwy. Boones Mill, VA 24065
  • Saturday, October 3 from 10 AM - 2 PM | Open house event
• Virginia: Galax Fire Department – 300 W Grayson St, Galax, VA 24333
  • Tuesday, October 6 at 7 PM | Fire Prevention Parade will go down Main Street, then people can come to the department for an open house with treats for kids and to meet firefighters. 
• Virginia: Warrenton Fire Department - 167 Shirley Avenue, Warrenton, VA 20186
  • Sunday, October 4 from 10-2 PM | They are hosting a station open house, kids activities, hands-only CPR training, apparatus tours, raffle, tshirt sale and dedication of new apparatus in memory of a past member of their team.
• Virginia: Woodstock Fire Department – 103 N. Main Street, Woodstock, VA 22664
  • Friday, October 2 from 5-8 PM | They will have a fire truck on display, a tent, recruitment/fire prevention materials, and activities to help people experience what it's like to be a firefighter

A Hustle Worth Having is supported by a FEMA SAFER grant. More than 60% of all fire and EMS departments in the U.S. are staffed by volunteers. In some states, this percentage is even higher, over 80%. Maintaining minimum staffing is increasingly challenging for departments across the country.

As the IAFC continues to champion the vital role of volunteer firefighters in safeguarding communities, the launch of this new national campaign underscores their commitment to innovation and collaboration with departments. By equipping them with the necessary tools and resources, this initiative aims to foster a resilient and dedicated volunteer firefighting force, ensuring the safety and well-being of communities for years to come.

To learn more about this campaign, visit HustleWorthHaving.org

ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIRE CHIEFS (IAFC)

The IAFC represents the leadership of firefighters and emergency responders worldwide. IAFC members are the world's leading experts in firefighting, emergency medical services, terrorism response, hazardous materials spills, natural disasters, search and rescue, and public safety legislation. Since 1873, the IAFC has provided a forum for its members to exchange ideas, develop professionally and uncover the latest products and services available to first responders.

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SOURCE International Association of Fire Chiefs