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what is every ones take on recuritment. The volunteer department i am on has about 60 members on it with about maybe 20 active members. we do have a public education/ pio type person employeed but there has been not much talk about recruitment. Does any one have what works for them what doesnt work. Any help would be great..

John

It seems like in today's time it is gets harder and harder to recruit and retain volunteers. With everything going on in people lives and not to mention the things going on with the econmy it takes alot to get a person to volunteer and respond to runs and attend trainings. My Volunteer department is a fairly large department and our funding is ok. The thing that helps us is we are a fairly busy department that performs all types of services from: Fire supression, ems assist, and all types of rescues including, Vehicle Extrication, Swift Water, Large Animal Rescue, Confine Space, Rope Rescue, and SAR for lost persons. We are very active in our community and this helps attract new firefighters and there is always something going on around the department which helps members stay active and involove with the department and not loose interest. Hope this helps.

rayz379 says ...

I think somtimes recruitment takes priority over retention. To be fortunate enough to get a new recruit is nothing short of a miracle in our area. Yes we definetly need new recruits, however I would love to see the ones that are on the roster to be more involved. It seems like one after another concerning volunteer departments, their are a limited portian of the roster personel actually "active". Their lies a issue with equipment, insurance, etc tied up by say 20 guys/gals when of them, you see 9 doing all the work over and over. I hear it said that things cannot be made mandatory since it is volunteer..... I look at it a little different the some. I see myself as a unpaid professional firefighter/responder. It is a job I applied for and was accepted. Had I not been able to fulfill my duties then I should not have applied to begin with. Volunteer or not the job is the same, duties are the same, responsibilities are the same, fire just as hot, injuries just as real.

In My Opinion I see it being taken to lightly to what being a volunteer firefighter really is at times. Maybe I am totally in left field, but for a good number of years now I consistently make calls, training sessions, meetings, clean trucks, repair trucks, fulfill duties at fundraisers, & maintain a complete active status, and if the day comes I cannot do that.............I'll turn in my gear!!!

How wrong is that??

Another little word comes to mind as well. Take it for what it is worth. Again my Opinion ONLY. This is something I keep in check personally.

COMPLACENT

1. Contented to a fault; self-satisfied and unconcerned: He had become complacent after years of success.

I agree Raymond.