Dave Iannone

Month-by-month calendar

January: Winter weather safety education - social media tips on home heating safety and carbon monoxide awareness, audience general public, owned by Public Education Officer
February: Recruitment open house tour - invite interested candidates for station tours and Q&A about fire and EMS careers, audience job seekers and career-changers, owned by Recruitment Coordinator
March: School outreach - fire safety presentations at elementary schools, focus on escape planning and smoke alarm testing, audience students grades K-5, owned by Community Liaison
April: Spring pancake breakfast fundraiser - coordinate volunteer shifts, ticket sales, and food prep; recognize sponsors and volunteers, audience community and supporters, owned by Event Coordinator
May: Memorial Day observance - honor fallen firefighters and EMS personnel at Station 1 flagpole with brief ceremony, audience members and public, owned by Station Commander
June: Summer preparedness campaign - distribute heat illness and outdoor safety information at farmer markets or community fairs, audience families and seniors, owned by Public Education Officer
July: Independence Day safety - fire and fireworks safety messaging through local channels and at community events, audience general public, owned by Public Education Officer
August: Back-to-school safety - provide fire escape plan templates and emergency preparedness tips to schools and families, audience students and parents, owned by Community Liaison
September: Severe weather preparedness - shelter-in-place and tornado/thunderstorm safety information for Mid-Atlantic region, audience residents and community groups, owned by Public Education Officer
October: Annual open house during Fire Prevention Week - tours, equipment demonstrations, and life safety education at station, audience families and school groups, owned by Event Coordinator
November: Member recognition event - celebrate firefighters and paramedics with awards, testimonials, and community appreciation, audience staff and invited guests, owned by Station Commander
December: Holiday safety and toy drive - distribute holiday fire and electrical safety tips while collecting donations for local families, audience general public, owned by Community Liaison

Recommended lead times

October open house: Begin planning in July (3 months) to secure speakers, schedule volunteers, prepare demonstrations, and coordinate school group visits
April pancake breakfast: Begin planning in February (2 months) to order supplies, recruit volunteers, arrange permits if needed, and promote event
Memorial Day observance: Begin planning in April (1 month) to coordinate ceremony details, invite speakers, and notify the public
Member recognition event: Begin planning in September (2 months) to collect nominations, arrange venue, and prepare awards
School outreach presentations: Coordinate with schools 6-8 weeks ahead to schedule dates and tailor content to grade levels
Recruitment open house: Promote 4-6 weeks ahead through job boards, social media, and local colleges

Owners & channels

Public Education Officer: Leads fire and life safety awareness campaigns; uses social media, local news, website, and printed materials to reach general public
Community Liaison: Coordinates school visits and family-focused outreach; communicates with schools and parents via email, flyers, and in-person presentations
Recruitment Coordinator: Manages recruitment messaging and open house tours; reaches job seekers through job boards, social media, and college partnerships
Event Coordinator: Manages logistics and volunteer coordination for open house, pancake breakfast, and other gatherings; uses email and internal scheduling tools
Station Commander: Oversees Memorial Day observance and member recognition; communicates with staff and community stakeholders
All roles: Use agency website, social media platforms, local radio, community bulletin boards, and direct outreach to schools and service organizations

Preparation checklist

Confirm date, time, location, and backup plan for weather or scheduling conflicts at least 4-6 weeks ahead
Identify and confirm role owners and volunteer assignments; create a written volunteer schedule
Develop clear, accurate messaging about the event purpose, safety information, or recruitment focus
Create and distribute promotional materials (flyers, social media posts, email notices, local news releases) starting 3-4 weeks ahead
Arrange equipment, supplies, refreshments, or printed handouts; test or inspect equipment before the event
Coordinate with schools, partners, or community organizations as needed; confirm attendance and special requests
Brief all staff and volunteers on their roles, talking points, and how to engage the public respectfully
Document the event with photos or attendance numbers for follow-up reporting and next-year planning
Send thank-you messages to volunteers, sponsors, and attendees within one week; share feedback or lessons learned with the team

Unscheduled gaps

July and August have lighter scheduled activities; consider adding mid-summer community presence at outdoor events or parks to maintain engagement during the slower season
Recruitment activities are minimal outside February; consider adding a second recruitment push in fall (September or October) to capture candidates interested in New Year's hiring cycles
No dedicated activity for addressing older adults or seniors; consider adding a fall or spring health and safety workshop tailored to this audience
EMS-specific public education is not explicitly scheduled; consider adding paramedic or emergency response awareness content to existing activities throughout the year

Community Engagement Calendar Builder

Month-by-month calendar

Recommended lead times

Owners & channels

Preparation checklist

Unscheduled gaps