For centuries, the foundation of the fire service has rested on the dedication of individuals committed to responding when their communities are in need. Yet, as that mission continues to increase in frequency and complexity, the number of people willing to serve has declined steadily. In fact, it is often heard within the fire service that there are two types of departments: those that have recruitment and retention problems and those that will. The public safety impact of this dilemma is further compounded because the problem is affecting departments of every size and in every state. In 2011, the Firemen’s Association received a $4.2 million SAFER grant to recruit and retain volunteer firefighters throughout New York. At the end of the four-year performance period, our efforts attracted almost 25,000 new volunteers. Recently, the success we achieved under this grant resulted in an additional SAFER award of $1.5 million to enable us to continue our program. This presentation is based on the grassroots experience and practical knowledge we continue to develop from our recruitment and retention activities.
