Roundtable Talk - National Volunteer Week - 10 Ways to Recognize & Retain Your Volunteers

My name is Joel Cerny and I am proud of the passion I have for the fire service. I have been a volunteer firefighter in a small rural community in Nebraska since 1980, the Linwood Volunteer Fire Department. I have served several of the officer’s positions on our department and currently serve as the Fire Chief, a position I have held with honor for over 20 years. We have 21 members, and I am delighted to say that my wife, daughter and son-in-law are also active members of the department. 

Being a volunteer firefighter in Nebraska has given me the opportunity to be involved with various groups that promote the importance of brotherhood. I am excited to share with you the paths I have covered in my journey. 

• Past President of the Nebraska Fire Chiefs Association 

• Past President of the Nebraska State Volunteer Firefighters Association 

• NVFC Director for the Nebraska State Volunteer Firefighters Association 

• Chairman of the NVFC Recruitment and Retention Committee 
• Member of the NVFC OSHA Task Force Committee

• Appointed by several of the Nebraska Governors to serve on the Nebraska EMS Board since 2000 

• Serve on the Nebraska Critical Incident Stress Management Team 

We often chuckle that the fire service is my hobby, and one that I can enjoy with my family and friends.  

I recently retired from my full-time day job as the Environmental, Health and Safety Coordinator where I also had the responsibility of overseeing all training for the 600 employees of the manufacturing facility. My retirement now allows me to spend even more time enjoying my hobby.