Author: Publisher: FEMA
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 261
Book Description
Retention and Recruitment for the Volunteer Emergency Services; Challenges and Solutions
Author: Improving Recruitment and Retention of Volunteer Firefighters
Author: Jason DecremerPublisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 129
Book Description
The number of active volunteer firefighters has been steadily dropping in the state of Connecticut for several years. At the same time, the number of public service calls for fire departments has been on the rise. This problem impacts fire protection and municipalities that rely on volunteer fire departments. The purpose of this narrative study was to explore why volunteer firefighter numbers have been declining, the extent to which recruitment and retention programs are used in volunteer fire departments, and how these programs contribute to a fire department's ability to recruit members. Perry's public service motivation model provided the theoretical framework for the study. Research questions focused on improving recruitment and retention programs. Data were collected from interviews with 5 current chief officers and 5 former firefighters in Connecticut and from organizational documents in local fire departments. Open, axial, and selective coding were used to identify 5 themes: lack of awareness of state policy on recruitment and retention, lack of recruitment, public service motivation, retention, and time. A key theme emerging from this study were that participating fire departments have limited effective recruitment and retention programs. The positive social change implications stemming from this study include recommendations to fire department leadership to consider a unified recruitment and retention strategy. This determination provides a foundation for volunteer fire departments to make informed decisions on how to increase recruitment and retention in their respective communities.
Recruitment and Retention of Volunteer Firefighters in Erie County, New York
Author: Mark F. MallickPublisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 29
Book Description
Volunteer fire departments across the country have been feeling the effects of declining membership. Less and less people are joining volunteer fire departments and many experienced members are leaving. This trend is also being experienced by a number of volunteer fire departments located in Erie County, New York, based on a recent survey conducted by the Erie County Volunteer Firemen's Association. The purpose of this paper was to determine what could be done to recruit new volunteers and what could be done to retain current volunteers. An action research method was selected in order to gather sufficient information regarding the volunteer firefighter recruitment and retention programs from across the country. These programs were analyzed to decide which, if any, would be applicable in Erie County. In researching numerous articles and reports, it became apparent that the problem of diminishing volunteers was widespread. A number of fire departments have realized that in order to remain in existence, they must aggressively recruit new members and become more aware of members' needs to retain those members. A number of creative recruitment and retention programs in use across the country were evaluated. From those programs, a number were selected to be implemented in the Erie County Fire Service, some with only minor modifications. Essentially, Erie County's recruitment and retention programs must become very aggressive in order to provide quality fire protection and emergency medical services to the county residents, or face the consequences of having to drastically increase taxes to subsidize a career fire department.
Retention and Recruitment for the Volunteer Emergency Services
Author: U.s. Department of Homeland SecurityPublisher: CreateSpace
ISBN: 9781494267339
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 262
Book Description
In 2004, the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) and The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) worked in partnership with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) to revise the 1998 text, Retention and Recruitment in the Volunteer Fire Service: Problems and Solutions. The original text was based on a series of workshops bringing together volunteer fire service members from all the States. This edition has been enhanced with new research and current issues as the emergency services enter the 21st century. Many of the original reasons for the recruitment problems remain: lack of time, apathy, and excessive requirements. However, they appear to have become even greater issues with the passing of time. Although the recruitment and retention challenges continue to grow, some volunteer organizations maintain good membership while others continue to function with reduced numbers. Those organizations that seek solutions and adapt to our changing personnel environment are successful. Individuals are still willing to give their time to volunteer emergency services organizations provided the following: The experience is rewarding and worth their time; The training requirements are not excessive; The time demands are adaptable and manageable; They are rewarded with a personal sense of value; There is good leadership minimizing conflict; There is ample support for the organization. The emergency services are the most demanding of volunteer activities today. The physical and time demands associated with training; responding to incidents; maintaining facilities, apparatus, and equipment; fundraising; and administering a nonprofit corporation are grueling if not managed properly. In today's hectic world, strong leadership is required to make the emergency services the organizations that will attract volunteers. This text will cover many of the problems of recruitment and retention and provide some examples of solutions that have worked in volunteer organizations across the Nation.
Recruitment & Retention of Volunteer Firefighters
Author: Volunteer Recruitment and Retention Committee (N.L.)Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Employee retention
Languages : en
Pages : 35
Book Description
Retention and Recruitment in the Volunteer Fire Service
Author: Retention of Internal Stakeholders in the U.S. Volunteer Fire Service
Author: Candice McDonaldPublisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 120
Book Description
Volunteer firefighters make up almost 75% of the U.S. fire service. Fire service leaders face challenges in retaining volunteers, as evident by the 12% decline in volunteer firefighters since 1984. The purpose of the study was to explore what strategies fire service leaders have used to retain firefighters in the United States. The conceptual framework of this single case study was Freeman's stakeholder theory, which states that leaders can maximize the organization's performance by meeting the needs of those with a stake in the future of the organization. Face-to-face, seminstrucutred interviews were conducted with a purposeful sample of 5 fire service leaders from Somerset County, New Jersey who had successfully implemented strategies for volunteer firefighter retention. Interview transcripts and supporting documents were explored using a modified Van Kaam model as a basis to analyze and create common themes for coding. Through methodological triangulation, 6 volunteer firefighter retention strategy themes emerged: a) schedule accommodations, (b) nonwage benefits, (c) opportunities for employee success, (d) recognition, (e) family, and (f) recruitment. From these 6 themes, 2 of the most successful retention strategies used by fire service leaders were identified as restructuring requirements for schedule accommodation and offering professional development. Specific recommendations from the research findings for retention include offering training, flexible scheduling, providing uniforms, family inclusion, and employee recognition. Implications for positive social change include offering strategies needed to improve the retention of volunteer firefighters, which may lead to the retention of public service employees to foster a high-quality workforce to serve the public.
Help Wanted
Author: Alan L. RuferPublisher: Booklocker.com
ISBN: 9781601459145
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 108
Book Description
Help Wanted takes an in depth look at recruitment and retention in the volunteer / Paid-On-Call fire service. Get real answers from real firefighters. Learn the 5-Step process that is critical in building a successful recruitment program.
Retention and Recruitment in the Volunteer Fire Service
Author: National Volunteer Fire Council (U.S.)Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Fire fighters
Languages : en
Pages : 40
Book Description
A significant finding that emerged from the intensive 1-day workshop was that the issues vary considerably from region to region, state to state, and even within parts of some states. This report addresses the general problems that face the volunteer fire and rescue service nationwide. Similar research is needed to identify problems particular to specific regions or states. The distinct problems of the retention and recruitment of ethnic minorities and women were addressed at the workshop.
Retention and Recruitment in the Volunteer Fire Service
Author: United States Fire AdministrationPublisher:
ISBN:
Category : Fire fighters
Languages : en
Pages : 117
Book Description