Recruitment and Retention
Recruitment and retention is one of the most critical topics in the fire service, particularly the volunteer fire service, which has long been seeking to attract and maintain members. The recruitment and retention resource page provides critical content to help fire departments manage their personnel, from articles that inform prospective members are life as a volunteer to podcasts about recruitment best practices to new techniques being used to encourage new members, and so much more.
Sacramento Fire Captain Keith Wade, once a TikTok skeptic, is now on a mission to show fire service leaders how the app’s reach could be the answer to staffing woes
HOW TO BECOME A FIREFIGHTER
Modern firefighters do more than fight fires — they respond to medical calls, car crashes, hazardous materials and more
Detailing the process from training to application
Planning to serve your community? It starts with quality firefighter training.
From age requirements to interview prep, we’re answering the top questions we hear about how to become a firefighter
While completing fire academy training is a rigorous challenge that’s not for everyone, it’s a necessity if you want to enter the rewarding field of firefighting
Follow these rules from Day 1 to lay the foundation for a long and successful career in the fire service
Detailing the expectations of the job and the three steps to becoming a volunteer firefighter
These next few months of fire academy training are going to test not only your resolve, but also your mental and physical limits
From identifying potential employers to securing the right certifications, learn what it takes to launch a successful career in private firefighting
With available tuition discounts, higher education can enhance a firefighter’s career growth, salary and leadership potential
The firefighting career field is very competitive; here’s a quick breakdown of what you should and should not do as you prepare to join the fire service
Joining the fire service? Make sure you know the basics.
Use this checklist to make yourself the best candidate possible for the firefighter job you want
The leap from cadet to on-shift firefighter can be daunting; here’s how to manage those first impressions you leave and build bonds with the crew
We asked FireRescue1 readers what seasoned advice they would offer their younger selves, and they delivered
If you recognize more than a few of the following traits in yourself, head over to headquarters and grab an application
Don‘t relax because you got accepted to a fire academy; this is the perfect time to be proactive and get things done
Test how your personality aligns with the motivation, teamwork and key character traits that exemplify firefighters around the world
Success in the firefighter interview is about far more than answering the questions
We’re looking for fit, mentally tough individuals who can manage their time and demonstrate a commitment to serve
A snapshot of the national, state and local requirements needed to advance in the fire service
How to use your personal playbook in the weeks, days and hours before your interview – and then what to do when it’s over
From the classroom to the training ground, Marc Bashoor offers a 30,000-foot look at what to expect if you want to become a firefighter
Get a glimpse into rookie life, plus a value set that helps firefighters succeed in the industry
Breaking down key factors involved in getting into a fire academy, the differences among the types of academies, and how you can set yourself up for success
Plus learn tips for what chiefs are looking for in new recruits as well as the importance of public trust
Learn your learning style, focus on fitness, and understand your place on the incident scene
Crews detail a dramatic rescue of two individuals trapped in a ranch-style home
Brooke DeLeon was the only woman in her 21-member recruit class
Four tips for making it through the early transition into your probationary period as a firefighter
A DAY IN THE LIFE
Part of building crew unity is taking the opportunity to have some fun, but there must be room for training – plus all those EMS calls
The engineer serves several roles, from equipment checks to throwing ladders, medic assists and more
The week starts with motivation, weaves through myriad activities, and concludes with a restorative weekend – and possibly some duty officer work
24 hours filled with constant alerts, plus meetings, training and little sleep
It’s one of the most challenging and rewarding jobs in the fire service
A Monday to Sunday breakdown of what’s it’s like to serve as a fire chief for a mid-size fire department
COMPLETE COVERAGE
Corpus Christi officials approved applying for a grant to help meet national staffing standards, but the required city match raises debate over potential tax increases or budget cuts
Facing a nationwide shortage of volunteer firefighters, departments like Botetourt County are using camps, community outreach and flexible roles to raise awareness and inspire new recruits
Led by Chief Brian Moya, the department’s streamlined lateral hiring process is bringing in trained firefighters and helping reduce staffing gaps
The Moores Mill Volunteer Fire Department has increased its number of volunteers and has more currently in training
Keene officials hoped a SAFER grant would fully cover hiring costs, but learned it will fund only 75% in year one
Tri-Township Fire & Rescue has fully staffed its Memphis fire station for the first time in decades, marking a major milestone in a long-term plan to improve response times
The new incentive program offers stipends of up to $5,000 for service and training, aiming to reverse declining volunteer numbers and revitalize fire service in North Tonawanda
Four St. Paul firefighter fathers proudly pinned badges on their sons at the department’s latest academy graduation
Kissimmee’s transition from 24/48 shifts includes a two-phase hiring plan for 49 firefighters by April 2026, funded by a new property-based fire assessment
The 2026 plan includes a move to eliminate the EMS special fund, shifting $75M in revenue to the general fund.
MOST POPULAR
- LODD: Chicago firefighter succumbs to injuries during garage fire
- 3 dead, others wounded in shooting at Wis. school
- Mayday: Houston firefighter killed in collapse at commercial structure fire
- Pa. firefighter dies responding to structure fire
- Va. county bans FD from responding to calls, citing ‘operational deficiencies’