The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Workforce Solutions, in collaboration with the IAFC Training and Education Development Committee, is seeking experienced fire service professionals to serve as instructors for the Volunteer Firefighter Recruitment & Retention Training Program, supported through a FEMA Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Recruitment and Retention Grant.
Share Your Experience with the Next Generation of Fire Service Leaders
Volunteer and combination departments continue to face significant recruitment and retention challenges. Departments are responding to increasing demands while working to recruit, develop and retain the people needed to serve their communities.
Over the next three years, the IAFC will provide leadership training designed to give chiefs, officers and other fire service leaders practical strategies they can put to work in their departments.
Training will focus on three courses:
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Recruitment & Retention Coordinator (RRC) Certification
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Building a Collaborative Team
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Helping Members Find Their Spark Through Mentoring
Courses will be offered at no cost to participating departments and individuals and delivered both in person at conferences and regional events and, for the first time, through online instruction.
To make these courses successful, we need instructors who understand the realities of leading, recruiting and retaining members in volunteer and combination departments.
If you have done this work in your own department and are ready to share what you have learned, we want to hear from you.
What Instructors Will Do
The IAFC anticipates delivering approximately 15 training sessions over three years, with five sessions planned each year.
Selected instructors will participate in an instructor orientation and receive time to prepare for each course. Responsibilities will include:
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Delivering the approved IAFC curriculum
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Administering brief pre- and post-course assessments
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Collecting participant feedback
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Sharing observations and recommendations to help improve future training
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Completing required documentation related to the federally funded program
IAFC will provide guidance on all required grant documentation and reporting.
Instructor Compensation
Selected instructors will be contracted and compensated in accordance with IAFC procurement policies.
How to Apply
Interested instructors should submit the following materials by December 5:
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A brief letter identifying the course(s) and role(s) that interest you and why
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A résumé or CV highlighting relevant fire service and instructional experience
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Copies of applicable certifications or licenses
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Two professional references
Submit application materials to: education@iafc.org
Questions about the opportunity may also be directed to education@iafc.org.
Put Your Experience to Work for the Fire Service
The volunteer fire service has always depended on people willing to step up for their departments, their communities and one another. Serving as an IAFC instructor is another opportunity to make that commitment count—by sharing your knowledge and helping fire service leaders build stronger, more sustainable departments.