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.
From entry-level to chief, these firefighter interview questions will help prep your answers to reveal character, competence and leadership potential
HOW TO BECOME 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
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
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.
As veteran crews retire, the next wave is looking for mentorship, so stop blaming and start training
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