Can you rise to the challenge?

An article posted to FirefighterNation.com today outlines the challenges faced by volunteer fire departments in Pennsylvania in recruiting and retaining their members. Although these types of articles are becoming all too frequent, this one in particular is better than most in that it focuses on the positives of being a volunteer firefighter — not all the negatives. I’ve cited many examples of what not to say if you’re actually looking to solve your R&R challenges in a previous post titled “Is this our best approach?” Too often, we hand a prospective candidate all of the reasons and excuses why they wouldn’t join on a silver platter.

Roll With It!

 

In honor of EMS Week-2010, I thought I’d promote the (dare I say) sexiest video I’ve ever seen come to volunteer recruitment and retention.

Created in 2005 by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, “Roll With It!” was designed to capture the excitement of prospective EMS personnel as a pre-emptive strike against a growing manpower shortage in their state.

It worked, as “Roll With It!” brought in thousands of new EMTs statewide.

“Roll With It!” is a part music video, part movie trailer — full-on high energy – high impact web site for the recruitment of fire and EMS personnel.

Congratulations and thanks to all EMS personnel around the world for what you do every day.

Celebrate EMS Week in style: “Roll With It!”

SURVEY SAYS? FD Youth Programs

There’s apparently a heated debate going on at FirefighterNation.com as to whether recruiting high school students to join the volunteer fire service, in whatever capacity, is a good idea.

The discussion has so many twists and turns that I thought it was time to cut through all the ***stuff*** and survey the audience.

Enough debate, are Fire Department Youth Programs a good idea – Yes or No?

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 discuss the future of the fire service here:

http://tigerschmittendorf.com/2009/06/21/from-x-box-to-the-box-alarm/

Download the Reprint of: From X-Box to the Box Alarm from www.tigerschmittendorf.com.

PA Dips in the Fountain of Youth for Recruits

Here’s a link to a news story on FirefighterNation.com about some volunteer fire departments in Pennsylvania who are teaming up to reach out to local high school students for new recruits.

Managed, trained and nurtured properly, Explorers and Junior Firefighters can be the lifeblood of a volunteer fire company. Admittedly, there are pros and cons to this approach.

Nontheless, this is a great story of a fire department taking necessary steps to ensure the survival and success of their volunteer fire service.

Agree or disagree, my helmet is off to them for doing whatever it takes to keep their service going. And I especially like the fact that they’re teaming up to do it.

http://www.firefighternation.com/forum/topics/pennsylvania-volunteer?commentId=889755%3AComment%3A4415263

Read it. Digest it. Discuss it here or discuss it there.

Stay safe. Train often.