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.
Telling new employees their generation is lazy and entitled will only drive them to meet that expectation, rather than grow into the leaders of our future
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.
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
Make a good impression and launch your firefighter career on the right foot with these tips for probationary firefighters
The firefighter’s written exam covers everything from a math skills review to a personality assessment
Firefighter salaries and benefits vary by location and rank.
A DAY IN THE LIFE
FireRescue1 invites you to share your voice — incidents that changed you, personal stories of challenges and perseverance, and other unique reflections
Line officers stepping into administrative roles face a culture shock — and a steep learning curve — that rarely gets addressed
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
Fatalities that occur during agility tests and academy drills underscore the need for tougher medical screening, heat-stress limits and on-site EMS
FEMA funding will cover two-thirds of salaries and benefits for three years, after which Muskegon officials will keep the positions to bolster long-term public safety
An internal probe found the Waterbury recruits used phones and computers during the proctored test
Videos allegedly shot at Engine 38/Ladder 51 show rookies doing cake-face pushups and hugging naked men
Morgan County Commission approves paid position, salary, while incident command stays with volunteer departments
Among 344 graduates, Ian Montesi, whose father died in the North Tower collapse, and Francis Donohue, whose father died of a 9/11-related illness, are following their fathers’ path
Training all East Meadow firefighters with VR headsets simulates up to 60 scenarios, offering on-demand practice, muscle-memory building and a recruitment draw for gamers
The Columbia Township Fire Department now has full-time coverage on every shift and is planning for future expansion with two new parcels of land
Greenville City Council approves a 24/72 schedule to boost recruitment and work-life balance
It’s important to underscore the danger of the situation while not instilling an unproductive level of fear
MOST POPULAR
- Medical plane with 6 aboard crashes in Philadelphia, setting homes ablaze
- National Firefighter Registry for Cancer goes offline following NIOSH layoffs
- Firearms found in Baltimore FD trainee’s car after police respond to threats made against classmates
- Ga. firefighter’s hand severed in sword attack
- Trump order to freeze federal grants blocked by judge