Strengthening Fire Department Recruitment and Retention
Recruiting and retaining qualified firefighters is essential to maintaining operational readiness, supporting firefighter well-being, and meeting the evolving needs of communities.
The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) helps fire departments address workforce challenges through recruitment and retention programs, leadership development, training, research, and practical resources.
Explore IAFC programs, tools, and educational opportunities designed to help volunteer, combination, and career fire departments attract new members, strengthen engagement, and build a sustainable workforce.
Ready to get involved?
Our Volunteer & Combination Officers Section (VCOS) provides resources, education, and services for volunteer and combination chiefs and officers. Its resources include sample standard operating procedures, ribbon reports, and newsletters.
Featured recruitment and
retention resources
Start with these tools and examples to recruit and retain volunteers.
-
Volunteer Firefighter Campaign Photo Gallery
High-resolution photos of real volunteer firefighters and EMS crews, cleared for your department to use.
-
Volunteer Firefighter Recruitment Pop-Up Banners
Retractable banner artwork sized 33 x 81 inches for recruitment tables, fairs, and open houses.
-
Volunteer Firefighter Recruitment Business Cards
A two-sided recruitment card with a write-in panel for name, email, and phone, plus a QR code.
Recruitment and retention events
Meet volunteer and combination leaders at IAFC events and training.
We couldn’t find any results. Please try again later.
Common questions about recruitment and retention
Quick answers for fire chiefs, department leaders, and people thinking about volunteering.
The National Volunteer Firefighter Geospatial Recruitment and Retention Toolkit has two parts. The Talent Accelerator self-assessment ranks your department in four areas: leadership, workforce, infrastructure, and experience. The National Volunteer Firefighter Survey compares your department with others in your state and across the country.
IAFC offers blended courses that combine required web-based training with a one-day, instructor-led session. They include Recruitment and Retention Coordinator Certification, Building Collaborative Teams, and a mentoring course, Helping Members Find Their Spark. Classes are held in different states, so check the event calendar for dates near you.
The IAFC Fire Camp Scholarships program is funded by a FEMA SAFER grant. It helps volunteer and combination departments in the United States pay for fire camps aimed at volunteer recruitment. Approved costs include supplies, marketing, and facility rental. Workforce Solutions also supports departments with AFG-SAFER recruitment and retention grant projects.
Start with the IAFC event calendar. Symposium in the Sun runs November 12 to 15, 2026, in Clearwater, FL, with leadership training for volunteer and combination departments. Regional courses are listed on the calendar, and members can ask peers for advice in KnowledgeNet.