As an organization we value, diversity, community, safety and education


Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Vulcan Society?

Founded in 1969, the Boston Society of Vulcans of Massachusetts (BSVM) (an organization of Black and Latino firefighters) is a community-based non-profit organization comprised of Boston firefighters and local civilians who work together to empower urban Boston residents to pursue public safety careers and to promote knowledge and safety skills through prevention education programs and resources.

During our 30+ years of serving the urban community, the BSVM has been instrumental in addressing cultural and gender diversity in the BFD as well as in monitoring and promoting safety services to the disadvantaged and high-risk groups in the city, including children under 18, adults 65 and over and minority residents. We have provided CPR, First Aid, Fire Safety, Bike Safety and other injury prevention programs to the community while continuing to promote public safety careers for minorities and disadvantaged youth. We seek to help young people gain employment in public safety careers such as firefighting, police, or Emergency Medical Services (EMS), while continuing to promote a balanced cultural and gender mix within Boston's safety services departments. We believe that our multi-faceted approach benefits everyone. With increased prevention knowledge, participating youth and their families are better prepared to prevent needless injuries and respond with confidence to emergencies that may arise in the home and community. The City of Boston is better able to respond to emergencies by employing a staff that truly understands the needs of the diverse communities it serves.

What are the qualifications for membership?

Membership in the Vulcan Society shall be voluntary. Regular membership shall be active, retired, or former members of the Boston Fire Department, of the State of Massachusetts. Members of any phase of the fire service, or other Massachusetts municipalities who are permanently employed as full-time employees shall also be eligible for membership. Associate membership shall be open to volunteers and individuals from the community wishing to support the program, goals and operation of the organization.

Membership is open to any member, regardless of race, color, gender, or religion, so long as the member can actively support the issues, goals, concerns and initiatives of the Vulcan Society, its membership and the community it impacts. All applications for membership shall be made on an application form and submitted by a member in good standing. Applications for regular membership should be accompanied by a signed payroll deduction card. Applications for Associate membership shall be made on a application form and accompanied with an initial dues check, or money order. Individuals shall be accepted for membership by a majority vote of those assembled at a Vulcan Society meeting.

What are the responsibilities of membership attendance requirements?

While there are no mandatory attendance requirements your support and presence is important to us. You as a member, and volunteers as support are the life-breath of the organization. With out you we cannot hold a meeting for planning, provide an event or program to the community, or keep the organization functioning to meet its goals. There is no Vulcan Society without you, because you are the Vulcan Society.

Why does the Vulcan Society need my membership support?

The Vulcan Society is a public service organization with a mission to strengthen our communities by providing free, or low cost public safety resources and education.

But service to the community is expensive. The price tag for every program that the Vulcan Society provides is a whopping $90,00 and rising every year. As a non-profit, in this current economy it becomes difficult each year finding dollars to help defray that cost. And while it's true that state government, corporations and foundations help, individual contributions from generous people like you are the single largest source of revenue for funding the types of programs and resources that we provide to the community each year.

How will my contribution be used?

Your membership will be invested in the development, production and broadcast of quality programs provided to the community from the Vulcan Society. Your gift also supports the organizations many educational and public service projects and equipment used in many of those programs, such as the purchase of smoke and Carbon monoxide detectors, car-seats and bike helmets.

Is my dues, or donations to the Vulcan Society tax-deductible?

All gifts to the Vulcan Society are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. If you request and receive a thank you gift, the fair market value of that gift must be deducted from your contribution for both tax and matching gift purposes.

What will I get in return for my membership contribution?

First, you'll enjoy the satisfaction of supporting our community's most accessible resource for public safety, education, information and support. Other benefits: Quarterly newsletter, Scholarship awards, professional association, promotional study classes, community service, networking, activities, recruitment assistance, training, discount memberships to BJ'S & Cosco wholesale club, family passes to local zoo, access and use of organization facilities and more.

How long does my membership last?

As a regular firefighter ­ through automatic payroll deductions, for the duration of your career. Once you retire from the fire service automatic deductions stop and you become eligible for a lifetime membership.

As an associate/volunteer member ­ your membership is active on a rolling basis from the date the Vulcan Society processes your application, as long as you keep up with the annual dues.

Does the Vulcan Society exchange its contributors/members' names or email addresses?

The Vulcan Society does not sell, rent, exchange or share its members' names or email addresses with any organization.

How do I get in touch with the Vulcan Society, or update my contact information?

If you ever have a question, concern or opinion you would like to share, or to update your contact information you can contact the Membership Office.