2021 NVFC Volunteer Recruitment and Retention Survey

The National Volunteer Fire Council is interested in learning more about the current state of volunteer recruitment and retention and the successes and challenges faced by volunteer and combination fire departments to follow up on a survey done several year ago. This survey should take only a few minutes of your time, and will assist the NVFC in identifying ways to better serve our members and the volunteer fire and emergency services as a whole. If you complete this survey by January 7, you will be entered into a drawing to win a $50 gift card.

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* 1. Please provide us with your department name, your name, and e-mail address (optional):

Department Name

Name

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* 2. Type of Department:

Volunteer

Career

Combination

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* 3. What state is your department located in?

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* 4. Population Served:

Less than 2,500

2,501-5,000

5,000 - 10,000

10,001 - 25,000

Over 25,000

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* 5. Would you characterize the area served by your department as being primarily:

Rural

Suburban

Urban

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* 6. How many emergency calls did your fire department respond to in calendar year 2020?

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* 7. How many volunteer/paid-on-call firefighters does your department have?

Active

Inactive

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* 8. Does your department have all the volunteers that it needs to provide adequate coverage and staffing?

Yes

If no, please explain.

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* 9. How do you recruit new members now? (select all that apply):

Word of mouth

A Make Me A Firefighter campaign listing

Local advertising (newspaper, ads, marquees, fliers, etc)

Social media (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc)

Partnerships with other groups (schools, service clubs, etc)

Department-sanctioned activities (open-house, citizens fire academy, Fire Corps, junior firefighter program, etc)

None

Other (please describe)

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* 10. What tools or methods do you use to retain your members? (select all that apply):

Offer LOSAPs

Provide stipends

Provide health insurance

Offer tuition assistance programs

Provide housing assistance

Mentorship programs

Offer health club benefits

None

Other (please specify)

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* 11. What has been your most successful recruitment tool or method? Please describe (optional):

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* 12. What has been your biggest recruitment challenge? Please describe (optional):

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* 13. What has been your most successful retention tool or method? Please describe (optional):

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* 14. What is your biggest challenge with volunteer retention? Please describe (optional):

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* 15. Does your department use the Make Me A Firefighter campaign's resources (volunteer listing, customizable campaign materials, training, track your recruits tool, etc.)?

Yes

Unsure

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* 1. Please provide us with your department name, your name, and e-mail address (optional):

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* 2. Type of Department:

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* 3. What state is your department located in?

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* 4. Population Served:

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* 5. Would you characterize the area served by your department as being primarily:

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* 6. How many emergency calls did your fire department respond to in calendar year 2020?

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* 7. How many volunteer/paid-on-call firefighters does your department have?

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* 8. Does your department have all the volunteers that it needs to provide adequate coverage and staffing?

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* 9. How do you recruit new members now? (select all that apply):

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* 10. What tools or methods do you use to retain your members? (select all that apply):

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* 11. What has been your most successful recruitment tool or method? Please describe (optional):

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* 12. What has been your biggest recruitment challenge? Please describe (optional):

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* 13. What has been your most successful retention tool or method? Please describe (optional):

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* 14. What is your biggest challenge with volunteer retention? Please describe (optional):

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* 15. Does your department use the Make Me A Firefighter campaign's resources (volunteer listing, customizable campaign materials, training, track your recruits tool, etc.)?

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* 16. If you currently use the Make Me A Firefighter campaign, what additional resources or tools might be helpful?