The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) has introduced two new free resources aimed at aiding volunteer and combination fire departments in recruiting and retaining volunteers.
The first of these resources is the Recruitment & Retention app, designed to help departments build and manage their recruitment and retention plans and budgets, as well as develop their onboarding process.
This app includes a built-in referral system, enabling prospective volunteers to send their information directly to the department they wish to join.
Departments can then contact candidates and guide them through the onboarding process within the app itself.
Potential volunteers can also search for nearby departments and submit referrals independently.
The Recruitment & Retention app is available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
The second resource introduced by the IAFC is a comprehensive Fire Camp Guide.
This guide is intended to assist departments in planning and executing successful Fire Camps.
From 2021 to 2024, the IAFC distributed nearly $200,000 in federal grant funding to volunteer and combination departments to support Fire Camps.
These camps were designed to engage young people and underrepresented groups in the fire service, providing them with hands-on experience and encouraging them to consider careers as firefighters.
Hundreds of students have attended these camps, gaining valuable insights into the fire service.
The Fire Camp Guide provides departments with detailed instructions and best practices for organizing Fire Camps, ensuring that they can effectively engage and educate participants.
The IAFC encourages departments to utilize these new resources to enhance their recruitment and retention efforts.
The Recruitment & Retention app and Fire Camp Guide are both available now, providing valuable tools for departments to attract and retain volunteers.
For any questions regarding these resources or other volunteer recruitment and retention topics, departments can contact IAFC’s Workforce Solutions staff for assistance.
