Guides and Resources

Guides

• Retention and Recruitment for the Volunteer Emergency Services: Challenges and Solutions (Second Edition)
  The NVFC, in partnership with the U.S. Fire Administration, has released an in-depth guide on two of the biggest challenges facing the volunteer fire and emergency services – retention and recruitment. This guide addresses the primary challenges departments face regarding retention and recruitment and then outlines proven solutions to overcome these obstacles. This valuable resource is designed for all volunteer and combination departments who are experiencing retention and recruitment challenges.
• The Ever Changing Challenges of Recruitment and Retention in the 21st Century: A Brief Look at Where We've Been, Where We Are, and Where We Are Heading, By Eric Germaine of the Carver (MA) Fire Department, December 2007 (Word)
• Recruitment & Retention of the Volunteer: The Missing Piece of the Fire Service, Prepared by: Franklin Woodrow Wilson II, Lieutenant, Central Kitsap Fire & Rescue, August 2002 (PDF)

Resources

• State Benefits Guide
  This online tool provides information on types of benefits and incentives each state offers their volunteer firefighters. These include retirement, tax incentives, liability coverage, worker's compensation, death benefits, education, and more.
• 1-800-FIRE-LINE National Recruitment Campaign
  1-800-FIRE-LINE is a nationwide recruitment campaign managed by the NVFC through Fire Corps in an effort to boost the ranks both operationally and non-operationally in the volunteer fire service. 1-800-FIRE-LINE is a toll free number citizens can call from anywhere in the country to learn about the volunteer emergency service opportunities in their community. The campaign also includes resources for implementing and marketing the 1-800-FIRE-LINE.
• Fire Corps
  Fire Corps is a program under the Citizen Corps initiative that connects resource-constrained departments with community members to assist in non-emergency roles. This allows first responders to focus on training and operational duties while also increasing the department's capacity and services. Fire Corps members can assist with administration, fundraising, public fire safety education, apparatus maintenance, and much more.
• National Junior Firefighter Program
  Getting youth involved in the fire and emergency services fosters the next generation of first responders and community supporters of the emergency services. The NVFC National Junior Firefighter Program serves as an umbrella for junior firefighter programs nationwide to promote youth participation within the fire and emergency services community. In addition, youth can use the program to locate a local junior firefighter program, keep track of their hours of service, and earn motivational rewards for their participation.
• New Tools
  New Tools contains recruitment press releases and camera ready artwork for print in local newspapers.
• Cost Savings Calculator 
  The Cost Savings Calculator allows fire and EMS departments to determine the specific cost savings their department provides to the local community. This can help make the case for increased funding and community and governmental support for the department.
• SAFER Retention and Recruitment Project Ideas
  SAFER grants fund retention and recruitment efforts that can help volunteer fire departments thrive. Get the creativity flowing with these ideas for SAFER-funded projects, as well as tips for securing funding for your department.
• Sample Ads
  The NVFC has gathered retention and recruitment ads from fire departments and state assosciations to serve as examples for others looking to do a retention and recruitment campaign. These sample ads are available on the Members-Only section of this web site. If you are currently an NVFC member, click here to log in and then go to Members-Only Resources to access the ads. If you are not an NVFC member, click here to learn more about membership and join.