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Community
Assistance "$100"
Program
Tualatin Valley Fire
& Rescue has long recognized that some situations require
something other than a hose line or bandage. For that reason, our firefighters have been given the authority to spend up to
$100 - at their discretion - to help a citizen in need. Be it
groceries for a single mom, gas for a stranded motorist, or a space
heater for an elderly couple, our $100 Program is a means for
getting people back on their feet again.
History of the
Program
The $100 Program is
funded by the District’s Community Assistance Program which began
in 1991 when a firefighter organized a fundraiser to help a young
boy with Cerebral Palsy. The boy needed to replace his canine
companion who had passed away. The Portland Trail Blazers generously
donated several autographed basketballs which were raffled off at a
local retail outlet.
After several years of
operating informally, the program became more structured in the fall
of 1996, when the fire district legally incorporated the program as
an Oregon non-profit corporation. As a 501(c)(3) organization,
donations to the Community Assistance Trust are tax-deductible. As
required by law, a board of directors oversees the trust and meets
annually or as-needed. The board is made up of the fire chief, chief
financial officer, a member of the fire district’s elected board
of directors, the president of the district’s IAFF local, and the
director of community services.
In addition to having
oversight and review of fire companies’ use of trust monies, the
board also considers requests from community organizations seeking
financial support. Many of these requests come from non-profit
social service agencies to which the fire district often refers
individuals for assistance in such areas as emergency shelter, food,
domestic violence, and substance abuse. By making donations to these
organizations, the fire district builds relationships and
strengthens its role in the greater community.
Funding
What began years ago,
as an opportunity to help one young boy, is now a program that
benefits dozens of people each year. The Community Assistance
Program is supported entirely by community and employee donations.
All monetary donations from the community (e.g., thank-you following
an incident, end-of-year business contribution, etc.) are deposited
to the Community Assistance Program. In addition, Tualatin Valley
Fire & Rescue employees contribute through monthly payroll
deductions. Each year, the Program receives approximately $1,000
from the community, while employee contributions total about
$10,000.
The $100 Program
involves empowerment and trust - traits sometimes missing within
government and public sector arenas. If they see someone in need,
firefighters can spend up to $100 – no questions asked! The $100
Program is easily accessed by firefighters. They can either use
their own money or money kept in a petty cash box at the station or
on the apparatus. Firefighters (or petty cash boxes) are reimbursed
within 48 hours following the submittal of an explanation
(situation, purpose, amount of expenditure, etc.) and receipt.
Benefits
of the Program
Since the $100 Program
began, our firefighters have developed a greater customer service
mindset. They have the ability and authority to improve someone’s
situation – even it doesn’t involve putting out a fire or
sticking them with a needle. In addition to those examples
previously cited, firefighters have utilized the $100 Program for
situations including:
-
installing outside
handrails for an elderly couple
-
hotel lodging for a
single mom/children whose car broke down
-
replacement of a
coat for a woman who stopped to render aid at an automobile
accident
-
carpet cleaning
after a medical incident
-
clothes cleaning
service for displaced fire victims with no insurance
-
and the list
continues...!
Citizens expect the
fire department to put out their fires and provide medical
assistance. They don’t expect firefighters to buy them groceries
or give them cab fare so they can meet their loved one at the
hospital. At Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue, firefighters and
staff are expected to "exceed the community’s
expectations." Recently a crew responded to a fall incident in
which a man had fallen off a ladder while putting up Christmas
lights. After treating and transporting him to a hospital, the crew
returned to finish hanging his lights. You can bet his expectations
were exceeded!
At Tualatin Valley Fire
& Rescue, there is a customer service mindset throughout the
organization. Upon being hired, each new recruit will hear,
"treat every person you come in contact with, as you would like
your family treated in your absence." Whether it’s an
emergency services call or a situation where someone has simply
exhausted their resources, our constituents receive the best service
possible. Our firefighters continually look for opportunities to go
"above and beyond" what is expected. Our $100 Program goes
hand-in-hand with great customer service, which ultimately enhances
public image.
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