Retention and Recruitment for the Volunteer Emergency Services

Retention & Recruitment for the Volunteer Emergency Services: Challenges & Solutions 5
departments forgive almost any crime or violation committed when the applicant was a
youth. Other departments, however, accept adult felons who have served their time and
appear rehabilitated. They view serving in the department will help keep the person on a
healthy path. These departments must remember that there could be outcry if the public
learns that a member is a convicted felon. Most departments refuse to accept anyone with
a history of arson whether or not time was served. Some departments also refuse people
convicted of driving while intoxicated within the past five years, or at a minimum, allow these
individuals to join but restrict them from driving department vehicles.
immigration status
In some areas, recruits have to prove U.S. citizenship. If the
department volunteers are paid-on-call, they are considered
to be employees under tax laws. Citizenship or a green card
then is required.
commitment agreements
Fire departments may request that new members sign a
commitment agreement. The purpose of a commitment
agreement is to lay out expectations on paper so
that there is no misunderstanding about what the
department is asking a member to do.
Recruits should also be asked what they expect from
the fire service. In turn, they should be told what
is expected of them. This may eliminate some people
immediately before going through the lengthy application process.
Commitment agreements are generally nonbinding because the members are volunteers.
Some departments, however, require recruits to sign a binding commitment that States
they will reimburse the department for training expenses if they leave before serving a
minimum period of time. An example of a commitment agreement is shown in the box on
the next page.