2026 Conference Program

Are you watching the flame of passion dim within your team? Struggling to keep members engaged, motivated, and committed to the mission? You�re not alone�and you don�t have to face this challenge without a plan. Across the nation, fire and EMS departments are experiencing unprecedented challenges in recruitment and retention. Today�s volunteers face even more competing demands than ever before. So how do successful departments overcome these barriers? This workshop delivers research-based, field-tested strategies that have helped departments build stronger, more sustainable teams. These are not expensive recruitment campaigns or gimmicky incentives. Instead, you�ll explore practical, professional approaches that are effective across all generations of volunteers, cost-efficient and easy to implement, and can be tailored to fit the unique needs of your department. Walk away with ready-to-use tools that can reignite commitment, reduce turnover, and spark a renewed sense of purpose. This workshop is geared toward volunteers, but most strategies are applicable to career fire and EMS as well.