First Arriving Launches New Animated Recruitment Video Series for Colmar VFC
New series, written and produced by First Arriving’s Jonathan Weiss, features three volunteer firefighters who show viewers how they fit the volunteer service into their busy lives.
First Arriving and the Colmar Volunteer Fire Company (PA) announce a creative new initiative to recruit more volunteers into Colmar’s growing ranks. Following the launch of its new recruitment-focused website in December-2018, the fire company embarked on a project to create an animated recruitment video with its strategic partner, First Arriving.
The four-part animated series will be officially launched on Colmar Volunteer Fire Company’s website: colmarfire.com and social media channels starting Wednesday, March 11, 2020 at 6pm, with subsequent launches at 6pm on the next three consecutive “Watch Party Wednesdays.”
Creation of the animation was led by First Arriving animator, Jonathan Weiss, creator of “The Call: A Portrait of America’s Volunteer Fire Service.” Colmar’s Recruitment & Retention Coordinator, Asst. Chief Justin Tohanczyn saw “The Call” and knew that it was a format they wanted to use to tell the story of the great work their volunteers do in their community. He knew First Arriving was the perfect partner to make it happen.
“First Arriving executed our vision for the videos better than we could have hoped for; the look, feel and storyline fit our mission perfectly,” Tohanczyn commented.
“We love it when our partners think big, and animation made this a big, fun project to help the small but growing Colmar Fire Company increase their ranks,” said Tiger Schmittendorf, vice president of strategic services for First Arriving.
The animated clips follow three of Station 12’s firefighters, two males and a female from diverse backgrounds and occupations and tell the story of how they fit volunteer service into their busy lifestyles. The series answers the question of “Who Answers the Call for Colmar?” showing how each featured member is “just like you, except…” they’re also a Colmar volunteer firefighter who save lives, save property and save millions of tax dollars. Each video ends with sharing the call-to-action: “Do you hear the call?” along with the fire department’s website where interested individuals can sign up to learn more about serving.
