volunteer firefighter recruitment and retention strategy

volunteers responsible for updating social media. A sample social media content policy isincluded in the accompanying toolkit. Volunteer firefighters can also engage in social mediaat their home during personal time (as many people do with respect to their hobbies andvolunteerism).It is recognized that use of social media is limited among communities, including FirstNations communities, due to cultural factors or lack internet access. The intent of socialmedia usage is to spread first-hand accounts of what it is like to be a volunteer firefighter. Incommunities which do not use social media, print media (such as a newsletter) can be usedin the same way to disseminate firsthand accounts of volunteer firefighting.Fire Department NewsletterCreation of a fire department newsletter which is disseminated to the community may serveto address issues related to the public perception of the fire department. A fire departmentnewsletter could be created to inform the public about fire hall events, introduce members ofthe fire hall to the community, and demonstrate to readers the realities of involvement withthe fire department.Department events may also be advertised for free in the Coffee News Flyer, by submittingthe events on www.coffee-news.ca/whats-happening.Accompanying Tools:Sample Key Messages for Target AudiencesHow-to Use Social MediaSocial Media GuidelinesTips for Creating a Newsletter Which Increases Recruitment3. Engage in local public relations.Local fire departments should engage with local newspapers and radios by providing them withlocal stories and interviews related to the fire department. The key to engaging these mediaoutlets is to provide them with news (facts, not opinions) that relate tangibly to the community –emphasize the local angle. This includes news releases that are issued by centralized AFCApublic relations (see “Centralized Initiatives”).Public relations are different than paid advertising. Advertising is purchased space. Publicrelations are ongoing relations with local reporters, editors and announcers in newspapers,radio and TV. Building and maintaining these relationships can encourage these individuals topursue news stories and other coverage of the fire department, which effectively serves as “freeadvertising” for the department.Volunteer Firefighter Recruitment and Retention Strategy & ToolkitPrepared by Volunteer Alberta for the Alberta Fire Chiefs’Association12