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.
Virginia Beach Fire Chief Ken Pravetz is asking the city for 140 more firefighters after spending $3.7M in overtime
The Capital Region Firefighter program launches a 100 Teens-to-Lifesavers Challenge
Salary
Newport News officials proposed a pay raise and step plan to be more competitive with neighboring departments
Firefighters feel generally positive about the job, but they report high stress, and many have considered leaving their organization
Faced with shrinking volunteer numbers, Pa. fire departments embrace new strategies to bolster ranks
Since 2000, the number of volunteer firefighters in Pennsylvania has dropped from 60,000 to 38,000
The East Peoria Fire Department has joined others in dropping a pre-hire EMS certification requirement
The St. Joseph Fire Department is working with high schools and a new college campus to present a career in fire, EMS
82% of U.S. fire departments are all or mostly volunteer and, often, their funding depends on people stepping up to help
Staffing
Tipp City officials highlighted staffing and response time improvements in a budget review
The Montville firefighters union president says data on staffing, overtime, mutual aid requests can show the need to hire more firefighters
Bloomington’s new policy removes the paramedic licensing requirement to help increase the applicant pool
Staffing
Carroll County’s new combination department is continuing to grow and is on track to have career staff at seven remaining fire stations
The Snyder Fire Department set a goal, formed a team, and made a plan to significantly increase its membership in two years
Chester County commissioners approved a property tax rebate for members of fire and EMS departments
A nearly 10-million-dollar grant will help the Frederick County Division of Fire Rescue Services hire 32 firefighters
“HERo Fire Camp” in Marin County offered two days of hands-on experience for young women interested in the fire service
Leadership
Government officials hear testimonies about challenges involving recruitment, cancer, mental health, EVs, climate change and beyond
The Anchorage Assembly will vote on a proposal that would revoke automatic firing when an employee tests positive for drugs, instead requiring the employee to go through a “progressive disciplinary process”
NVFC releases updated Junior Firefighter Program starter kit The National Volunteer Fire Council resource covers everything from liability to recruitment
Six new firefighters will be added to the Bettendorf Fire Department thanks to a SAFER grant
Fire departments across the state work to increase staffing during a growing demand for services
The documentary has a clear message for the fire service: You need to understand your community and be willing to make changes
The Sisters in Fire program allows young women to learn about wildland firefighting and test their skills in a prescribed burn
Salary
Roswell officials approved a pay increase for full-time firefighters as the staffing model changes
Arizona University’s Economic Policy Institute will working with Central Arizona Fire and Medical Authority on firefighter retention
Upon taking the reins, the Greensburg (Pa.) VFD chief made it his mission to improve firefighter safety and health
Leadership
Developing systems and processes that support excellence ultimately drives effective leadership and fire department success
Leadership
Leaders, we must stay focused the myriad issues impacting our membership, even those that can feel distant from day-to-day operations
National fire service leaders and research experts will discuss critical issues facing the fire service
Mahoning and Valley township fire departments joined together to give young people a look inside the fire service
The Midland Fire Department offers fire and EMS training to high school juniors to prepare them for jobs after graduation
“A two-man response to a structure fire is not only well below any recognized standard, it is outright dangerous,” the Dover fire union said in a statement
Do you agree with the AI assistant?
