Retention and Recruitment in Fire and EMS Simplified (38TA)

Are you struggling to keep members engaged, motivated, and committed to the mission? You are not alone. 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 and field-tested strategies that have helped departments build stronger and 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.