You may never know the impact of your investing in young people, but one thing is for sure, what the outcomes may continue to be if we don’t try. A recent article out of Wisconsin highlights a high school fire ...
Read More »Breaking It Down: New Member Announcement
Keeping with my theme of “Treat every public interaction as a public service, public education, public relations, AND a recruitment opportunity,” a new member announcement can have a positive impact on your recruitment and retention efforts. Young Blood: Newton Abbott ...
Read More »NEW RECRUITS: Buyer Beware!
In my recruitment and retention related conversations and classes, I ask the pointed question: “What takes longer, getting good people into your fire department — or getting the bad ones the heck out?” Almost everyone acknowledges the latter response with ...
Read More »Recruitment Video of the Week: Perry Hi-Way VFD
This week’s recruitment video review comes from Perry Hi-Way Volunteer Hose Co. in Erie PA. While the video is very professionally done, I’m concerned with any public outreach that leads with the message that our numbers are dwindling and the reasons people ...
Read More »NVFC Receives SAFER Grant for National Firefighter Recruitment and Retention Campaign
According to an NVFC.org press release, the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has been awarded a $2,390,479 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to implement a national volunteer firefighter recruitment ...
Read More »Reporter Takes Test Drive of Firefighter Training
Check out this reporter’s experience as he dons a firefighter’s gear and learns about the life of a volunteer. Training shows reporter how much volunteer figherfighters deal with: http://journalstar.com/news/local/article_23a66580-50c4-11df-b21a-001cc4c03286.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
Read More »A Touch of Gray
As I wrote in "From the X-Box to the Box Alarm" --- This demo includes settled homeowners; their kids are growing to an age of independence; focused on giving back; perhaps even looking for an outlet – or just an excuse to get out of the house.
Read More »REVIEW: 10 Step Guide to Volunteering
And while I think the author is right on the mark that prospective candidates should do their homework before signing on the dotted line, I disagree with emphasizing and entering fundraising into the conversation so early. There are too many other positive parts of our business that could be used to highlight the benefits of volunteering. Fundraising is one of those functions that some volunteers must do when they're not doing what they signed up to do -- fighting fires and providing emergency services.
Read More »GREAT NEWS: SAFER Application Period Extended
In order for all potential applicants to have sufficient time to consider this revised policy guidance, DHS will extend the 2009 SAFER application period. The new application deadline will be 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, Friday, January 15, 2010.
Read More »X-Box Firefighters
I wrote a magazine article for FASNY’s The Volunteer Firefighter titled: “From the X-Box to the Box Alarm” that addresses today’s generation of firefighters and firefighter candidates. Given recent news articles and discussions, I think it’s relevant to revisit and ...
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