Sylvania Township Fire Department

The Sylvania Township Fire Department needed to increase community awareness about their services, funding needs, and safety initiatives. As a critical community resource, they sought to build stronger relationships with township residents while addressing misconceptions about their operations and resource allocation.

Like many fire departments, Sylvania Township faced several communication challenges: limited public understanding of their full range of services beyond fire response, misconceptions about funding and resource allocation, competition for attention in a busy media landscape, and the need to reach diverse community segments with varying information needs and communication preferences.

Cooper-Smith developed a comprehensive community engagement strategy that emphasized transparency, education, and relationship building. The approach included three key components: regular communication about department activities and achievements, educational content about fire safety and emergency preparedness, and personal stories highlighting the department's impact on individual community members and families. Each component was designed to build trust while addressing specific information gaps identified through research.

The campaign leveraged multiple channels to reach the community effectively. Traditional media included local newspaper features and radio spots highlighting the department's services and community impact. Digital channels comprised an overhauled website with improved information architecture, regular social media content featuring day-in-the-life posts and safety tips, and a monthly email newsletter. Community outreach included enhanced open house events, school visit programs with age-appropriate safety education, and a 'Meet Your Firefighters' series at community gatherings. Print materials featured an annual report highlighting department achievements and transparent budget allocation.

The multi-channel community engagement campaign produced measurable improvements in public perception and support. Community surveys showed a 34% increase in awareness of the department's full range of services. Social media engagement increased by 165%, with follower growth of 78% across platforms. Website traffic rose by 52%, with particular interest in safety education content. Community event attendance grew by 45% year-over-year. Most significantly, when the department later proposed a modest funding increase to support equipment upgrades, it passed with 68% voter approval – a marked improvement from previous funding initiatives. The department also reported a 23% increase in qualified job applicants, attributing this to improved community visibility and perception.