The IAFC National Volunteer Firefighter Geospatial Recruitment and Retention Toolkit consists of Two Parts
The IAFC National Volunteer Firefighter Geospatial Recruitment and Retention Toolkit helps fire departments strengthen their workforce through data-driven recruitment and retention strategies. The toolkit combines a departmental self-assessment with community demographic insights to identify opportunities to retain current personnel and target volunteer recruitment efforts.
The IAFC National Volunteer Firefighter Geospatial Recruitment and Retention Toolkit consists of Two Parts
Part 1- Talent Accelerator self-assessment
The first part helps fire departments address staffing crises and retain their current volunteer and career firefighters. By taking a Talent Accelerator self-assessment, you can evaluate your department against a workforce development maturity model. The maturity model will rank your fire department in four categories: Leadership, Workforce, Infrastructure, and Experience. This provides you with suggestions on how to retain your current staff.
Part 2 – National Volunteer Firefighter Survey
The second part of the toolkit is focused on recruitment. By taking the National Volunteer Firefighter Survey, you can compare your department to those in your state and others nationwide. The survey collects demographic information, including income levels, education levels, the language spoken at home, and access to transportation. With those demographics and percentages provided, it offers a breakdown of your community, helping you target your best recruitment locations and events to attend.
Open Session Series – Learn How to Get the Most Out this Resource
Training Overview: These sessions provide fire departments with direct access to tools, guidance, and technical support to strengthen recruitment and retention strategies using geospatial data. Each session will walk departments through the practical application of the toolkit, from initial assessment to implementation. Participants will gain working knowledge of how to leverage GIS mapping to identify gaps, target outreach, and improve workforce sustainability.
Delivery Format: Virtual (Live)
Audience: Fire chiefs, command staff, recruitment coordinators, and department leadership.
Session Format: Optional follow-up support through IAFC.
- 60-minute live session.
- Toolkit demonstration + guided walkthrough
- Open Q&A and discussion
Current Training & Certification Programs
Building Collaborative Teams
Course Description: This course equips fire service leaders with practical tools to strengthen culture, improve communication, manage conflict, and enhance team performance across volunteer and career environments.
Delivery Format: Blended Learning (Required WBT + 1-Day Instructor-Led Training)
Audience: Fire Service Leaders, Officers, Company Officers, and Department Stakeholders
Recruitment and Retention Coordinator Certification
Course Description: This course prepares fire service leaders to develop structured, data-informed recruitment and retention strategies. This blended program combines required Web-Based Training (WBT) with a one-day Instructor-Led Training (ILT) focused on application, leadership communication, and department-level planning.
Delivery Format: Blended Learning (Required WBT + 1-Day Instructor-Led Training)
Audience: Career/Volunteer Fire Department Leaders, Officers, Membership Committees, Recruitment & Retention Coordinators
Upcoming Training
Mentoring Certification Program: Helping Members Find Their Spark Through Mentoring
Course Description: This course equips fire service leaders with the tools to design, implement, and sustain an effective mentoring program. This blended program requires completion of a Web-Based Training (WBT) before attending the Instructor-Led Training (ILT).
Delivery Format: Blended Learning (Required WBT + 1-Day Instructor-Led Training)
Audience: Fire Service Leaders, Officers, Program Managers, Mentors, and Department Stakeholders
Upcoming Courses
Questions?
Contact IAFC’s Workforce Solutions Team, ws@iafc.org