DEVELOP RELATIONSHIPS
Develop Relationships in Your Community
One of the three top most-admired professions in the United States is fire fighter.* This gives the fire service a tremendous advantage when developing relationships with community leaders. To build support and find advocates for fire safety, you will want to develop working relationships throughout the community leadership including policymakers, business people, clergy, social service providers and educators. It is also important to seek potential partner organizations, maintain good relations with the public and engage the media. In many communities many of the leaders will be involved in more than one of these areas.
*Forbes America’s Most Prestigious Professions [Infographic]
Policymakers: These may be elected officials, members of boards or commissions, professional staff or others who help set the direction for policies and/or control budgets. While they may have the overall interest of the community in mind, they will naturally be most interested in their own areas of expertise. Some that you may want to approach:
- Chief Executive Officer
- Chief Executive Officer
- Council or Board Members
- Planning and Zoning Commissioners
- Water Board
- Public Works
- Building Department
- Environmental Quality
Other Community Leaders: Think about other groups and individuals that have influence in your community, such as:
- Public Health
- Clergy and Social Services
- Parks and Recreation
- Councils on Aging and other Aging Advocates
- Media Outlets
- Local Celebrities
Use the localized data you have developed to show how fire specifically affects their areas of interest:
- Cost of Governmental Services
- Injury/Illness
- Infrastructure Cost
- Water Usage/Quality
- Green Space Protection
- Economic/Job Loss
- Tax Revenue
- Blight
Seek out those leaders that can become strong allies for your advocacy program.