volunteer firefighter recruitment and retention strategy

CENTRALIZED INITIATIVES 25CONTEXT 25OBJECTIVES 25RECOMMENDED INITIATIVES 251. Develop a brand for volunteer firefighting that can be used in a provincial campaign 252. Undertake a province-wide awareness and recruitment campaign 263. Centrally coordinate public relations 284. Create a central website 305. Establish centralized resources that can support recruitment and retention initiatives 326. Leverage National Fire Prevention Week activities 337. Celebrate National Firefighter Health Week 338. Create province-wide recognition awards 349. Explore Canada-wide terminology standardization 34HOW TO USE THE STRATEGY AND TOOLKIT 35VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION TOOLKIT 36Local Fire Department Self-Assessment Tool 37Fire Department Climate Evaluation 40Dialogue Guide for Informing Current Firefighters of Recruitment Drive 44Volunteer Screening Process Guide 46Volunteer Firefighter Position Description 51Volunteer Firefighting: Factsheet for Applicants 52Volunteer Firefighter Application 53Tips and Hints: Interviews 59Sample Interview Questions 61Letter to Successful Applicant 68Letter to Unsuccessful Applicant 69Volunteer Firefighter Performance Evaluation Form 70New Recruit Orientation Guide 72How-to Guide: Buddy System 73How-to Guide: Mentoring 74Tips and Best Practices for Volunteer Firefighter Recruitment and Retention 75Letter to Dignitary Template 82Sample Diversity Policy 84Volunteer Firefighting: Factsheet for Employers 86Letter to Employers Not Yet Involved with Fire Department 87Letter of Thanks to Supportive Employer 88Volunteer Firefighting: Factsheet for Family 89Sample Welcome Letter to Spouses 90Family Orientation Guide 92Sample Key Messages for Target Audiences 93How-to Create Effective Key Messages 96News Release Template 98Sample News Release 99Backgrounder Template 100Sample Backgrounder 101