The best recruiting pitch might be the one you never make. Kentland (Md.) Volunteer Fire Department Sergeant Alex Caldaro says his Prince George’s County house doesn’t beg for members, doesn’t lower its standards and doesn’t require a minimum number of hours — yet it runs 4,000 to 5,000 calls a year and has kept four volunteers on the truck around the clock since 1995. Caldaro explains how ride-alongs, word of mouth and a humble culture do what flyers can’t, why giving members a voice builds buy-in, and what “10% pressure 100% of the time” looks like in practice. Whether you’re fighting a retention problem or trying to hold on to the people you have, he offers practical ideas for building a department people want to stay in.
This episode of the Better Every Shift Podcast is sponsored by TheFireStore. Learn more about getting the gear you need at prices you can afford by visiting TheFireStore.
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