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From the desk of Battalion Chief (Ret.) Robert Avsec, EFO
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Marketing

Marketing

Help Fund “Bridging the Gap Between Professional Psychology and the Fire Service”

By. Robert Avsec, Executive Fire Officer In my “2nd fire service career I’ve found a place with the Fire Service Psychology Association (FSPA) where I’m currently…

July 9, 2026
Data and Technology

LinkedIn in 2025: Beyond the Basics, Toward Strategic Influence

In the past, many folks have asked me “What’s your purpose for getting on LinkedIn?” That’s still the right question—but the answers have evolved. Today, LinkedIn…

August 26, 2025
Marketing

Digital Networking in 2025: More Than Just a Profile

What does “digital networking” really mean today? I won’t pretend I’m a guru (though I did once survive a conference hotel breakfast buffet). What I do…

August 26, 2025
Marketing

Yes, Virginia, Girls Can Grow Up to Be Firefighters!

Why not introduce the young girls in your life to Ember and Molly this holiday season as a gift that shows them girls can grow up to be anything, especially a firefighter!

November 18, 2022
Marketing

Fire Departments and Transparency

More importantly, isn’t it time that they truly know how important it is for them to practice fire safety behaviors in their homes and businesses? Maybe then they’d have a greater appreciation for having working smoke detectors, complying with building and fire codes, and supporting residential sprinkler systems for new residential construction.

May 31, 2017
Marketing

Marketing Fire and EMS: What’s your department’s brand?

The reality that's "hitting" home with many Fire & EMS organizations today, however, is that their citizens do have a choice.  In the current economic climate, where most local governments are having to make tough fiscal decisions, elected officials and their constituents are making "buy" or "no buy" decisions regarding the public safety services for their community. 

January 3, 2017
Fire Prevention

Emotional marketing can make for better fire safety messages

You want someone in that pre-contemplation stage to suddenly go out and purchase four smoke alarms? You’re going to have to find ways to proverbially rip their heart out... go for the gut... make ‘em cry... get them laughing... none of which is accomplished by “it’s the law” or “your fire department wants you to...”

December 15, 2016
Fire Education

What Fire Departments can Learn from Beer Ads – PART I

The reality is, those aren’t really the people we’re after. We’re after those that don’t have any working smoke or CO alarms, have kids but no home escape plan, or just don’t care/lack the knowledge about fire safety. We’re after those people, because they present the greatest and most imminent risk.

December 14, 2016
Marketing

Marketing Your Fire and EMS Organization

Marketing your fire and EMS agency is not something you should be doing, it’s something you need to be doing. More so than ever, you need to be telling the public you serve the why, what, and how behind their fire and EMS department.

April 12, 2016
Marketing

Be Proactive: Marketing Fire and EMS

The reality that's "hitting" home with many Fire & EMS organizations today, however, is that their citizens do have a choice. In the current economic climate, where most local governments are having to make tough fiscal decisions, elected officials and their constituents are making "buy" or "no buy" decisions regarding the public safety services for their community. Don't believe it? Look at how many cities, towns, and counties are laying off personnel, closing fire stations, cutting back on non-emergency services, etc.

June 9, 2015
Marketing

Social Media Marketing 4 Fire and EMS

Social media professionals recommend that your organization spend at least 60 minutes each day working on mastering your Internet presence. Make a list of what is the most important for your agency and simply begin the process. It is more important for you to start than to worry about making everything perfect.

February 24, 2015
Commentary

The Multi-Hazard Fire Department

The fire service needs to market its service as an insurance company does. The fire service provides services to its community that one never wants to call on, like insurance, but can't afford to be without when needed, also like insurance. This is not marketed enough. How many of people live without several insurance policies, e.g., life, health, auto, etc.? None. Yet fire departments in communities across the country are facing dire straits because of lack of citizen support in the voting booth or at fundraising time.

November 20, 2014